BAL: Opong buzzer-beater hands City Thunder third straight loss

Robinson Opong's buzzer-beater snatched the wind out of the Thunder faithful's sails, condemning the newbies to their third consecutive loss of the campaign. 

The Ugandan sharpshooter heaved a Hail Mary from the corner with about 3.3 seconds to go in the fourth quarter, with the Thunder leading 74-72. 

Despite Thunder's Evans Ganapamo attempting to block the shot, Opong was in sniper mode, making the match winner as the buzzer sounded to punctuate an exceptional fourth-quarter comeback to snatch the win 75-74. 

What was meant to be a historic moment for the Kenyan club and a moment of national pride turned catastrophic with their third loss in as many games. 

Opong, who was shooting a mere 20 percent from beyond the arc prior to that last clutch bucket, could not have picked a worse time to hurt the Thunder's feelings.

The Thunder, who had led for most of the game after taking the lead just before the end of the first quarter, played what I thought was their best showing in the Continental League. 

Ganapamo, who had struggled in games one and two, looked like his old self, shooting 6/11 from the field, including six threes, to lead the Thunder in scoring with 21 points. 

Captain Tylor Ongwae once again notched double figures, contributing 20 points of his own in an attempt to dock the Thunder ship to shore. 

It was, however, MBB's captain, Pieter "Pistol Pete" Pinsloo, who would anchor his side to the win with an exceptional shooting display. 

An efficient double-double, 30 points and 11 rebounds, earned him the game's most valuable player award as the MBB forward made timely baskets to keep them within striking distance from the Thunder. 

It was as if watching NBA great Larry Bird in action back in the day with his step-backs, shot-making difficulties, and his patented hook shot over the defenders' outstretched arms—just a masterful performance from the 33-year-old Johannesburg native. 

As they say, basketball is a game of runs; maybe the Thunder's run is up next. What turned out to be a catastrophe in the end for Brad Ibs and his side played out to a cathartic joy for MBB’s head coach, Sam Vincent. 

The Nairobians have three more games to stage a playoff contention as the race for the playoff berth to be staged in Pretoria between June 6th and 14th intensifies. 

Will the pendulum of good luck swing to their side? Only time will tell.