Offia Leads Rivers Hoopers Past Maktown In Overtime Thriller

Rivers Hoopers completed a perfect Nigeria Premier Basketball League Final Four campaign on Tuesday, edging outgoing champions Maktown Flyers 92-90 in overtime in a thrilling championship finale in Port Harcourt.

Already crowned champions on Monday, the KingsMen refused to allow Maktown to spoil their coronation as tournament MVP Abel Offia produced a decisive overtime performance to complete a 3-0 campaign.

The Flyers appeared set to end their Final Four campaign on a high after taking a 47-38 lead into halftime, but Rivers Hoopers stormed back after the break, outscoring Maktown 25-16 in the third quarter.

Regulation ended 80-80 before the Flyers moved ahead early in overtime.

Offia, however, took control when it mattered most. The MVP scored seven of his 14 points in overtime, hitting a clutch jumper to tie the game with less than a minute remaining before stealing the ball at midcourt and converting the decisive layup to seal victory.

The result also gave Rivers Hoopers a measure of revenge after Maktown had beaten them 74-72 on their home floor to claim last year’s NPBL title.

Peter Olisemeka produced a dominant performance inside with 16 points and 18 rebounds, while Tunisian guard Omar Abada added 17 points, six rebounds and six assists.

Victor Sunday scored 12 points, Buchi Nwaiwu contributed 11 points and six rebounds, while John Idoga finished with 10 points and six rebounds.

Offia was later officially crowned the NPBL Most Valuable Player and was named in the All-Star Five alongside teammates Olisemeka and Abada.