ZBWBL : Dolphins draw positives from MFM defeat as Ottah urges champions to keep fighting
…Coach Ottah hails improved defence despite third defeat
By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye in Port Harcourt
Defending champions Dolphins suffered their third defeat of the second phase of the Zenith Bank Women’s Basketball League after falling 73-54 to experienced MFM Basketball Club in Port Harcourt.
Dolphins struggled to match the intensity of their opponents from the opening quarter, trailing 18-13 before MFM extended their advantage in the second period.
The Mountain of Fire side continued to control proceedings in the second quarter, outscoring the champions 24-13 to take a commanding 42-26 lead into halftime.
Dolphins were unable to mount a serious comeback in the third quarter as MFM maintained their dominance, winning the period 16-8 to move 58-34 ahead heading into the final quarter.
The champions, however, showed greater urgency in the closing period, producing their best offensive display of the game to win the fourth quarter 20-15. It was not enough to overturn the deficit as MFM eventually secured a 73-54 victory.
Despite the loss, Dolphins head coach Okechukwu Ottah believes his side is making progress as they attempt to rebuild their confidence and rediscover the form that carried them to the championship.
Ottah, popularly known as Kenzy, pointed to the team’s defensive improvement as one of the positives from the encounter, noting that the margin of defeat was significantly reduced compared with their earlier losses in the phase.
“We are trying to regroup ourselves again,” Kenzy said.
“We lost the game yesterday but, for me, this game was okay because we were able to cut down those points and contain them. We played good defence. The defence was tight, and I’m okay with the team’s progress so far.”
The Dolphins coach acknowledged that more work remains to be done but challenged his players to maintain their fighting spirit as they seek to regain consistency.
According to him, the mentality to compete until the final whistle remains essential to any team aspiring to remain at championship level.
“Each and every time we step on the court, we need to keep fighting. That’s what makes you a champion,” he said.
“You can never become a champion in one day; you become a champion when you put in the same effort, even more effort, game by game. I believe we have now become a team to contend with.”
