Rivers Hoopers coach Ogoh Odaudu and Final Four Most Valuable Player Abel Offia don set dia sights for di Basketball Africa League afta di Kingsmen collect back di Nigeria Premier Basketball League crown for Port Harcourt on Tuesday, to secure Nigeria only ticket for di continental competition.
Hoopers complete perfect Final Four run by edging outgoing champions Maktown Flyers 92-90 for overtime, afta dem wrap up di title with one game to spare on Monday. "Dis na exactly wetin we want do — collect back our rightful position, and we do am," Odaudu tok. "I dey excited say we dey back for Basketball Africa League, wey be di biggest stage for African club basketball."
Maktown lead 47-38 for half-time before Hoopers respond with 25-16 third quarter. Di game tie 80-80 afta regulation, and Maktown edge ahead early for overtime. Offia then take control, e score seven of im 14 points for di extra period, including clutch jumper to level di score with under one minute left before e steal di ball for midcourt and finish di decisive layup.
Peter Olisemeka post double-double of 16 points and 18 rebounds, Tunisian guard Omar Abada add 17 points, six rebounds and six assists, while Victor Sunday (12), Buchi Nwaiwu (11) and John Idoga (10) also contribute. Offia, Olisemeka and Abada dey named for NPBL All-Star Five. For di earlier game, Aso Sky Hawks beat Gboko City Chiefs 80-75 to finish second at 2-1 and claim di Savannah Conference title, while Maktown dey recognised as Atlantic Conference regular-season champions.
Offia say di Hoopers faithful play key role for di comeback from 12 points down and e believe say di team fit make deeper BAL run. "We wan reach di playoffs first and see how far we fit go," e tok.
