ZBWBL : Dolphins, First Deep Water, IGP Queens fail to shine in Port Harcourt

By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye in Port Harcourt

Dolphins Basketball Club head coach, Okechukwu Ottah, has described the defending champions’ latest defeat as a source of encouragement despite suffering their fourth loss of the second phase of the Zenith Bank Women’s Basketball League.

Dolphins went down 50–60 to Bayelsa Blue Whales, but Ottah believes the 10-point margin represents significant progress compared with the heavier defeat the champions suffered against the same opponents in the first phase.

The coach pointed to improved team chemistry and growing understanding among his players as major positives from the game, insisting that the rebuilding Dolphins side is gradually taking shape.

“We might be losing, but the whole team chemistry is coming well. The team are coming together. With time, we will surely be a force to reckon with,” Ottah said.

The Dolphins coach also acknowledged concerns over the effectiveness of his point guards, promising to work on the area as part of a broader effort to strengthen the team.

“It’s something we’ll go back and work on, and work on every department of the team that needs to improve,” he explained.

According to Ottah, the players are beginning to understand their roles and responsibilities, although the team is yet to reach the level of cohesion required to consistently compete at the highest level.

With their title defence effectively over, the coach has already shifted his focus to next season, describing the current campaign as an important rebuilding period for a revamped Dolphins squad.

“By next season, I promise you that we’ll see a different and a changed Dolphins team,” Ottah emphasised, adding that preparations for the new campaign have already begun.

Elsewhere on Day Four in Port Harcourt, Victoria Queens secured a 59–51 victory over IGP Queens in the opening game, earning an eight-point win over the officers.

First Bank produced the most emphatic result of the day, overwhelming First Deep Water 81–31 in a one-sided encounter.

The former champions dominated from the opening tip and never allowed the Oyo-based side to settle into the contest, cruising to a 50-point victory.

MFM also claimed maximum points without stepping onto the court after Royal Aces were forced to concede their final game of the day through a 20–0 walkover.

A member of the Royal Aces coaching staff, Taiye Adeniyi, explained that the team entered the second phase with only seven available players, leaving them with virtually no room for injuries.

The situation deteriorated further after three players suffered injuries, reducing the available squad to just four fit players.

Rather than expose the remaining players to further injury, the team opted to concede the fixture, handing MFM the maximum points.

Royal Aces will now hope their injured players recover in time for their remaining three games.

Today’s action resumes at 12:00 noon with Bayelsa Blue Whales facing MFM in what promises to be another intriguing encounter.

At 2:00 pm, IGP Queens will take on First Deep Water, before Dolphins return to the court at 4:00 pm against Victoria Queens.

The final game of the day, scheduled for 6:00 pm, will see First Bank face injury-hit Royal Aces, who will be hoping to have enough players available to mount a competitive challenge