Offia Targets BAL Playoffs After Rivers Hoopers’ Perfect NPBL Finish
Rivers Hoopers MVP Abel Offia has set his sights on reaching the Basketball Africa League playoffs after helping the KingsMen complete a perfect Nigeria Premier Basketball League Final Four campaign.
The newly crowned champions finished the Final Four with a 3-0 record after overcoming outgoing champions Maktown Flyers 92-90 in overtime on Tuesday in Port Harcourt.
Offia was at the centre of the dramatic comeback, scoring seven of his 14 points in overtime as Rivers Hoopers recovered from a nine-point halftime deficit.
The tournament MVP hit a crucial jumper to level the game with less than a minute remaining before stealing the ball at midcourt and scoring the decisive layup.
His performance came a day after Rivers Hoopers had already secured the NPBL title and their return to the BAL.
Offia credited the home crowd for inspiring the comeback and said the team was determined to make a stronger impression on the continental stage.
‘The fans actually helped us even when we were down by 12 points, they kept cheering for us,’ Offia said.
‘I feel very excited to be heading back to the BAL with the same team. That speaks volumes about Rivers Hoopers as an organization. We’ll try to do something different this time. We want to reach the playoffs first and see how far we can go.’
Offia was later officially named the NPBL Most Valuable Player and selected in the All-Star Five alongside teammates Peter Olisemeka and Tunisian guard Omar Abada.
Head coach Ogoh Odaudu also welcomed the Hoopers’ return to the BAL after reclaiming the national championship.
‘We’re very happy,’ Odaudu said. ‘This was exactly what we wanted to do, reclaim our rightful position, and we did that. I’m excited that we’re back at the Basketball Africa League, which is the biggest stage in African club basketball.’
