NPBL Final-8: Kano Pillars, Customs and Kwara Falcons down 0-3 by Day 3

The race for a place in the Final Four of the Nigeria Premier Basketball League intensified on Day 3, with traditional teams Kano Pillars, Nigeria Customs, and Kwara Falcons going without a win after three games each.

Day 3 of Wednesday dunked off with a 20-point beating of Kwara Falcons by Hoops and Read, who were more than happy to grab their first win. Ikenna Okpaluba took matters into his hands, dropping a game-high 20 points in the 74-54 victory.

Game two saw an electric encounter between unbeaten sides Lagos Legends and Gboko City Chiefs. The Chiefs began the game determined to stretch their unbeaten run, taking a 28-19 lead in the first quarter. They looked good from deep and had great movements and size going for them. Nonetheless, Legends crept back in, sinking layups, racking in the twos, and closing the gap to five points at halftime, 41-46.

The third quarter saw Lagos Legends close in, levelling the game at 51-51, 53-53, and 55-55, and eventually taking the lead 59-55 at the end of the quarter, despite trailing by 16 points earlier. With five minutes gone in the fourth quarter, the game was tied 66-66. Tolani Buhari, who finished the game with 18 points, led the charge, pulling off an incredible comeback to win 81-74.

Next up was Kano Pillars versus Nile Spartans. Having lost both games, Kano Pillars put up a huge fight with captain/veteran Azouma Dike and Yusuf Tanko leading the charge, but the Spartans were too hot for the Kano-based side, as they fell to a 76-67 defeat.

The last game of the day saw another 20 points as the host/defending champions stamped their dominance on Nigeria Customs with a 94-74 win. The KingsMen’s 94 points was the highest scoring game by any side so far in the NPBL Final 8.

The games will resume at 11am on Thursday with Kwara Falcons taking on Lagos Legends while the Customs and Gboko City Chiefs step out afterwards. It is Nile University Spartans versus Hoops and Read at 3pm in a match of young talents while power houses Kano Pillars and Rivers Hoopers step at 5pm for the last match of the day.