Gboko City Chiefs, Rivers Hoopers Open NPBL Final Four With Wins

Gboko City Chiefs and Rivers Hoopers began their Nigeria Premier Basketball League Final Four title campaign with victories on Sunday as the competition tipped off in Port Harcourt.

Gboko City Chiefs edged defending champions Maktown Flyers 74-73 in a thrilling opening game, while hosts Rivers Hoopers defeated Aso Sky Hawks 74-60 to avenge their Final Eight defeat to the newcomers.

The Chiefs looked in control early, taking a 23-15 lead after the first quarter before going into halftime 35-29 ahead.

Maktown struggled for consistency through the third quarter, with Gboko extending their advantage to 60-45.

But the Flyers produced a remarkable late comeback. Adekoya Jawad’s three-pointer reduced the deficit to 67-64 before Marcus Thomas Jr. answered with a three to make it 71-70 with one minute remaining.

Augustine Richard then produced a crucial two-point basket while falling to the floor, putting Gboko 73-70 ahead with 21 seconds left.

Maktown had a chance to level the game when Abah’s three-point attempt with 14.8 seconds remaining missed. Gboko regained possession and Marcus was eventually sent to the free-throw line, making one to extend the lead to 74-70.

Keita’s three-pointer with six seconds remaining reduced the deficit to one, but Dike missed both free throws after being fouled with the clock winding down, allowing Gboko to escape with the victory.

Marcus Thomas Jr. led the Chiefs with 20 points, while Oliver Hampton added 16. Okpegba contributed 10 points and 12 rebounds for the only double-double of the game for Gboko.

Bright Akhutie also played a key role in the Chiefs’ late resistance, particularly with his scoring around the basket.

The game also pitted Maktown coach Habib Afodun against his former boss Mike Ikima, under whom he served as an assistant last season.

In the second game, Rivers Hoopers recovered from their 67-74 defeat to Aso Sky Hawks in the Final Eight with a convincing 74-60 victory over the debutants.

Aso started brightly and held a two-point advantage after five minutes, but the Hoopers responded to lead 22-15 at the end of the first quarter.

The hosts maintained control in the second quarter, taking a 39-28 lead into halftime.

Hoopers’ bench proved decisive after the break, contributing 25 points as the hosts maintained their advantage. They also forced 12 steals as they restricted the Sky Hawks’ attempts to mount a comeback.

Abel Offia led all scorers with 28 points, including back-to-back three-pointers, while Samuel Sani impressed with his rebounding and putbacks.

Monday’s second round of games will see Maktown Flyers and Aso Sky Hawks meet at 3pm, with both teams seeking their first win of the Final Four.

Rivers Hoopers will then face Gboko City Chiefs, with both sides looking to build on their opening-day victories.