Rivers Hoopers defeated Ebun Comets 94-50 to qualify for the final eight of the 2024 Nigeria Premier Basketball League.
The defending champions recorded four wins in seven games to brush aside their opponents for a place in the quarter-finals.
They opened their campaign with an 87-39 win over Delta Force to record an impressive first game in the NBBF league before a 77-43 win over Oluyole Warriors in their second match.
The five-time champions battered Police Batons 87-58 in their third match to further establish their status as the favourites to retain the title.
In their fourth game against Ebun Comets, Abel Offia led the way with 19 points; Michael Daramola and Ifeanyi Koko scored 14 points apiece, while Michael Okiki and Patrick Abah scored 11 points each.
Rivers Hoppers coach, Ogoh Odaudu is delighted that the team has achieved the first objective of booking a place in the last eight.
He said, ”That was our target from the beginning. We are happy we have accomplished it, but we still have a long way to go because we are trying to get better, and we are happy we are in the final 8,”
The Rivers State Sports Commissioner, Barr. Christopher Green pledged N1m for each win in the league as a way of motivating the team.
”We will take each game as they come and win every game because there is an incentive for us for every game if we win, so we don’t want to throw away money like that.”
Odaudu, who has been in charge of the team since 2009, led them to two consecutive titles in 2011, and 2012 after losing in the final against Kano Pillars in 2010.
The top four teams from the Atlantic and Savannah Conferences will advance to the final eight, billed for 13-19 November in a yet-to-be-decided venue.
Rivers Hoopers Defeat Ebun Comets, Qualify For Basketball League Quarter-final is first published on The Whistler Newspaper