2026 NPBL Final 8: Aso Skyhawks Complete Final 4 Line-Up With Win Over Rivers Hoopers
The 2026 Nigeria Premier Basketball League Final 8 came to an exciting conclusion on Sunday, with host Rivers Hoopers suffering a 67-74 defeat to Aso Skyhawks in a pulsating final-day encounter.
The result saw Aso Skyhawks, Maktown Flyers, Gboko City Chiefs and Rivers Hoopers secure places in the Final Four, where they will battle for the league title and a coveted place in the Basketball Africa League.
Kano Pillars also ended their campaign on a high, defeating Hoops and Read 68-53 to claim their second victory of the playoffs. Despite missing out on the Final Four, Pillars finished the competition with something to celebrate.
Lagos Raptors, meanwhile, produced one of their best performances of the tournament against Gboko City Chiefs but narrowly fell 76-78.
The underdogs raced into a 10-point lead at one stage and led 35-31 before Marcus Thomas Jr. sank a three-pointer at the half-time buzzer to reduce the deficit to 35-34. Gboko City Chiefs eventually held on for the two-point victory.
In another keenly contested game, defending champions Maktown Flyers overcame a spirited challenge from 313 Warriors to secure a 64-54 victory.
Flyers made a strong start, taking a 24-9 lead, but 313 Warriors fought back and reduced the deficit to five points early in the fourth quarter before the champions regained control.
The final game provided the biggest surprise of the day as Aso Skyhawks stunned hosts Rivers Hoopers 74-67. In a fiercely contested encounter, the Skyhawks held their nerve to secure the victory and complete their qualification for the Final Four.
The Final Four will now determine the 2026 NPBL champions and Nigeria’s representative in the Basketball Africa League.
