Rivers Hoopers Hand Maktown Flyers First NPBL Playoff Defeat, Extend Winning Streak To 6-0
Rivers Hoopers maintained their perfect run in the 2026 Nigeria Premier Basketball League (NPBL) Playoffs after defeating defending champions Maktown Flyers 79-70 on Friday in Port Harcourt.
The six-time league champions made a flying start, racing into an 11-0 lead and taking the opening quarter 29-13.
Maktown gradually reduced the deficit in the remaining three quarters, at one stage cutting it to 44-41, but the KingsMen regained control to secure their sixth consecutive playoff victory.
The defeat was Maktown Flyers’ first of the playoffs and only their second loss in the entire 2026 NPBL campaign, with both defeats coming against Rivers Hoopers.
The Port Harcourt side had previously beaten the champions 74-61 during Phase Two.
Abel Offia led a balanced Hoopers scoring effort with 14 points and six rebounds, while Peter Olisemeka produced a 13-point, 10-rebound double-double.
Onyebuchi Nwaiwu added 12 points, Victor Sunday scored 11, while Omar Abada, Anaiye Johnson and Samuel Sani contributed eight points apiece. John Idoga also grabbed seven rebounds.
Hoopers head coach Ogoh Odaudu admitted his team made the contest harder than necessary after their strong opening.
‘We knew it was not going to be an easy game,’ Odaudu said. ‘We started off well, but we started doing things we were not supposed to do. They gave us a good fight, but I am not very pleased with my team. We should have ended this game by halftime, but we had to struggle the whole game.’
Odaudu attributed Maktown’s fightback to a lapse in concentration from his players rather than a tactical change by the defending champions.
‘It’s a mental thing, and it’s common with ball players. You start playing well, and you think the game is over. Then before you know it, the opponent starts getting back one point at a time,’ he said.
Rivers Hoopers will face Aso Sky Hawks on Saturday as they look to complete a perfect seven-game playoff campaign.
‘That’s the plan,’ Odaudu said. ‘From what we see right now, there are a lot of bumps and a lot of fatigue. So we’re going to see what happens. But the aim is to make a complete sweep, win seven out of seven, and that’s the plan.’
The other fixtures on the final day will see Kano Pillars face Hoops and Read at 2pm, Lagos Raptors take on Gboko City Chiefs at 4pm, while 313 Warriors battle Maktown Flyers at 6pm. All games will be played at the Basketball Stadium on Niger Street, Port Harcourt.
