Hoopers battle Legends for league crown, BAL ticket in Garden City

By Maxwell Kumoye 

 

The chase for the Nigeria Premier Basketball League crown and the coveted Basketball Africa League ticket, comes down to one last, thunderous battle in Port Harcourt the Garden City today (Sunday). 

After two days of high drama, bruising contests and shattered hopes, only two teams remain standing: defending champions Rivers Hoopers and the relentless challengers, Lagos Legends.

Both sides enter the final showdown unbeaten. Only one will leave with the trophy. Only one will fly Nigeria’s flag on the continent next season. And tonight, somebody’s perfect run ends.

DAY 2: CHIEFS FALL, LEGENDS RISE

Gboko City Chiefs came into Saturday knowing their title dreams were hanging by a thread. But their hopes were shredded by a ruthless Lagos Legends side who seized the moment, seized the rims, and eventually seized the win.

The Chiefs started slow, stuck at 0–6 before Kareem Joseph finally broke the drought but they clawed back into the game with grit. Prosper Onyebuchi’s buzzer-beater even flipped the tide, handing Gboko a 34–32 halftime lead while Lagos coughed up 12 turnovers.

But the men from the City of Aquatic Splendor responded, and the Legends did exactly that.

They tightened their defence, regained control, and powered ahead 45–42 in the third quarter. From there, they never looked back. 

A commanding 62–49 victory crushed Gboko’s Final Four ambitions and set up a blockbuster finale for the Lagosians.

HOOPERS STRIKE BACK WITH A 36–5 MASTERCLASS

If Lagos Legends sent a warning shot, Rivers Hoopers fired a cannon.

Facing a fired-up Nigeria Customs side, the hosts absorbed the early punches and then unleashed one of the most dominant quarters in NPBL playoff history. 

The KingsMen detonated in the fourth, outscoring Customs 36–5 to seal a massive 77–45 win that kept their three-peat dream alive.

John Idoga was unplayable, dropping 16 second-half points to spark the fiery comeback. Peter Olisemeka snagged 16 rebounds, nearly a double-double, while Buchi Nwaiwu added 12 boards of his own. Okiki and Mustapha Oyebanji chipped in 10 points apiece.

The numbers tells the story of a team in total command, 70 rebounds, 16 steals, 23 turnovers forced, and 33 points off those giveaways. It was sheer dominance and pure intent.

THE STAGE IS SET

Before the grand finale, Nigeria Customs and Gboko City Chiefs will fight to avoid a winless run when they tip off at 3 p.m.

But all eyes, every cheer, every camera, every heartbeat in Port Harcourt, will be fixed on 5 p.m., when the arena erupts for the clash everyone has been waiting for:

Rivers Hoopers versus Lagos Legends.

Champions against the Challengers. A dynasty on the line. A BAL ticket up for grabs.

The Legends famously ended Hoopers’ long unbeaten run, stretching back to November 2022, after a dramatic 80–79 overtime thriller in this year's year’s Final Eight.

Tonight, the Hoopers want revenge. The Legends want the throne.

One game. One champion. One ticket to Africa’s biggest basketball stage.

Port Harcourt is ready. Nigeria is watching. The tip-off is everything.