Day four of the Nigeria Premier Basketball League Final-8 tipped off with a crucial airtight battle between Kano Pillars and Kwara Falcons. Having lost all three games heading into the encounter, the tie served as an opportunity for either side to get their first win. Kano Pillars got off to a fine start, leading 22-17 at the end of the first quarter and 39-26 at the end of the second. Captain and veteran Azouma Dike led proceedings with 13 points.
In the third quarter, Kwara Falcons fought back, taking a 48-47 lead but ultimately falling to a 67-60 defeat.
The second game of the day saw winless Nigeria Customs go up against high-flying Nile University. Knowing what was at stake, Customs began the game going up 11-7 in five minutes, but by the end of the first quarter, the game was tied 17-17. The latter part of the first quarter and the entirety of the second were filled with end-to-end action, which saw the lead change six times and the game tie 10 times. The third and fourth quarters continued at the same pace, but it was Nigeria Customs who held on for the 74-65 win – their first of the final eight. Ibe Agu’s 24 points and Favour Aboje’s double-double were enough to get the much-needed victory.
The third game of the day pitted Lagos Legends against Hoops & Read. Much like the previous game, the clash was tightly contested up until the final whistle. Lagos Legends edged Hoops and Read, winning 58-54.
After three feisty encounters, the best was saved for last. Hosts Rivers Hoopers faced off against Gboko City Chiefs, who were eager to return to winning ways after a heartbreaking 81-74 loss to Lagos Legends that saw them lose a 16-point lead.
Gboko City Chiefs started like a house on fire, taking a 44-39 lead into halftime, having had an 18-point lead in the second quarter. Kareem Joseph led the way at halftime with 15 points. The KingsMen regained momentum in the third quarter, taking a 59-56 lead.
The lead continued to change hands in the fourth, and when it looked like the Chiefs were going to get the better of the Hoopers, Buchi Nwaiwu gave a quick pass to Mustapha Oyebanji with two seconds on the clock, and Mustapha sank a clutch buzzer-beating three, which saw the game tie 80-80 and go to overtime. It was the first time in the competition that a game was sent to overtime.
Rivers Hoopers emerge victorious in overtime, with Williams Isaiah, Victor Sunday and Peter Olisemeka making the most of the free throws and layup opportunities. The defense held its own, and despite a valiant effort from the Chiefs to go ahead, the defending champions won 93-92.
Friday Day 5 Fixtures:
Kano Pillars vs Hoops and Read – 11am
Nile University vs Gboko City Chiefs – 1pm
Kwara Falcons vs Nigeria Customs – 3pm
Lagos Legends vs Rivers Hoopers – 5pm
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