Odaudu, Offia anticipate Rivers Hoopers BAL return

Rivers Hoopers coach Ogoh Odaudu and newly crowned NPBL Most Valuable Player Abel Offia are already looking ahead to the Basketball Africa League after the KingsMen reclaimed the national title and secured Nigeria’s lone ticket to the continental competition, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Rivers Hoopers completed a flawless Final Four campaign on Tuesday, edging outgoing champions Maktown Flyers 92-90 in overtime in Port Harcourt, having secured the Nigeria Premier Basketball League title with a game to spare on Monday.

For Odaudu, the triumph marked the fulfilment of the team’s objective of regaining the national crown and returning to Africa’s premier club basketball competition.

“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.”

Offia, who was named the tournament MVP after starring throughout the Final Four, is equally eager for another opportunity on the continental stage and believes the experience of the Hoopers’ home fans will be important.

“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 organisation. We’ll try to do something different this time. We want to reach the playoffs first and see how far we can go.”

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The KingsMen needed overtime to complete their perfect campaign against Maktown, who had denied them the title on their home floor with a 74-72 victory last year.

Maktown dominated the opening half and led 47-38 at the break before Rivers Hoopers responded with a 25-16 third-quarter surge to set up a tense finish.

The game was tied 80-80 after regulation, with Maktown moving ahead early in overtime before Offia took charge. He scored seven of his 14 points in the extra period, including a clutch jumper to level the contest with less than a minute remaining before stealing the ball at midcourt and converting the decisive layup.

Peter Olisemeka also produced a double-double with 16 points and 18 rebounds, while Tunisian guard Omar Abada added 17 points, six rebounds and six assists. Victor Sunday contributed 12 points, Buchi Nwaiwu had 11 points and six rebounds, while John Idoga finished with 10 points and six rebounds.

Offia was joined in the NPBL All-Star Five by teammates Olisemeka and Abada, underlining Rivers Hoopers’ dominance during the Final Four.

In the day’s earlier game, Aso Sky Hawks capped their debut league season by defeating Gboko City Chiefs 80-75 to finish second with a 2-1 record and claim the Savannah Conference title. Maktown Flyers were recognised as the Atlantic Conference regular-season champions.