NBBF Premier League final 8 dunks off in Lagos
By Ifeanyi Eduzor
The Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium,Surulere, Lagos came alive on Monday as this year’s Nigeria Basket Ball Federation Premier League Final 8 dunked off at the venue.
It all started with the game between dark horses Benue Braves and Kwara Falcons. Braves took an early lead in the first quarter 18-15 but the Ilorin based Falcons came to pick the second and third quarters 17-14 and 13-12. On three occasions both were tied, 13-13, 32-32 and 37-37
However, Benue Braves regrouped and took fourth and final quarter but lost the game 65-58
The second game of the day between home boys Islanders and and Gombe Bulls ended 66-55 in favour of the Bulls, 14-14, 29-13, 10-12 and 13-16
Nigeria Customs have themselves to blame as their poor performance in the third quarter caused them dearly against Rivers Hoopers in third outing of the day as the nail biting encounter finished, Hoopers 62 Customs 60. 9-12, 9-15, 24-13 and 20-20
Just like the third game of the day, the last encounter between Kano Pillars and Police Baton ended with a narrow victory for Pillars 55 to 53 points.
Four games are on the chart on today with the clash between Rivers Hoopers and Gombe Bulls certain to give basketball fans value for their time. Both sides have won one game but the Bulls are on plus 11 while Hoopers are on plus 2.
Head coach of Gombe Bulls Abdul Rahman says his team is adequately motivated as the state governor has promised to lavish the players with gifts if they win the Final 8.
Meanwhle pairings for Day 2 of tge championship indicates that Lagos Islanders with meet Nigeria Customs whike Benue Braves will square uo against Police Baton just as Kano Pillars will meet Kwara Falcons with Rivers Hoopers tasting the might of Gombe Bulls
The winner of the NBBF Premier League Final 8 will represent Nigeria in the 2023 Basketball Africa League (BAL) in Kigali, Rwanda.
