Rivers
Hoopers on Wednesday lost their last group game to all conquering Kano Pillars
83-62 to finish runners up of Group B of the DSTV Basketball League Final 8
Play offs. Ronald
Alalibo scored 12 points, 2 rebounds, 2 steals and 1 assist while Somtochukwu
Managor added 11 points and 4 rebounds in a game that was purely academical
with both teams having already qualified for the last four.
The Port
Harcourt side had a better and competitive first half performance, taking the
lead in the first quarter (16-15) but later lost the second quarter (31-36).
The second
half of the game was however one way traffic, as Pillars showed their level of
experience blowing away Hoopers with their 3 point shots and forcing them to
make a total of 31 turnovers in the entire game.
Thursday is
being observed as rest day for the four semifinalists while the classification
games will be on. On resumption of play on Friday, Rivers Hoopers will face
Nigeria Customs for a place in the final of the 2015/2016 DSTV Basketball
League.
After the
game, Hoopers coach Ogoh Odaudu said he is proud of his team inspite of the
loss to Pillars.
“Generally I
think my boys did very well but experience started to count for Pillars in the
second half and they wore us down quickly from the third quarter,”Odaudu
explained.
He further
added that, “We are going to do a lot of work in all aspects of our game ahead
of our semifinal game against Customs on Friday. I am hopeful we will have a
good game and hopefully get a continental spot back to Port Harcourt.”
On his part,
Pillars coach Sanni Ahmed was excited with the victory over Hoopers.
“First of all
I thank God for the victory and the players have played their hearts out and
their morale is high because their allowances, salaries are paid when due.
Every support needed is given by the state government and the executive
chairman of the Kano sports commission.
Also the team have been together for a long time and that’s why the
consistency is in the team,” said Ahmed.
Full results
Group A
Plateau Peaks
52-62 Kwara Falcons
Customs 57-51
Niger Potters
Group B
Kano Pillars
83-62 Rivers Hoopers
Gombe Bulls
73-61 Oluyole Warriors
Semifinal
pairings
Kano Pillars
v Kwara Falcons
Rivers
Hoopers v Nigeria Customs
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