Many basketball enthusiasts in Nigeria are celebrating the reemergence of Rivers Hoopers as the country’s domestic champions at the end of one of the most competitive league season’s ever, Sports247 reports.
Bolts of delight are surging in favour of the Port Harcourt-based Hoopers after they emerged this season’s champions in the Nigerian Premier Basketball League (NPBL) with a 92-90 overtime victory over Maktown Flyers.
That feat ensured The KingsMen are champions for a seventh time, with the feat made even more enchanting in how they came from behind against last season’s winners at Basketball Stadium in Port Harcourt to complete an unbeaten Final 4 campaign.
Hopers pulled off their seventh conquest, thereby moving level with Kano Pillars for the most titles won in the NPBL’s history, though Maktown Flyers got a stronger start and led 26-22 at the end of the first quarter, before extending their advantage to 47-38 at half-time.
Rivers Hoopers responded after the break, drawing level at 63-63 heading into the fourth quarter and eventualy wrapped up their victory, much to the delight of their fans and lovers of the sport across the country.
Leading the splash of positive reactions and accolades for The Garden City outfit is highly passionate basketball enthusiast, Latifat Adebayo-Ohio, who took to social media to reveal her personal satisfaction and she celebrated The Hoopers’ feat extensively.
Adebayo-Ohio stated in a post via @Phatill, “The moment Rivers Hoopers sealed the win against Maktown Flyers 92-90 in OT and clinched their 7th NPBL title, tying Kano Pillars for most titles won. This is the Nigerian Basketball Premier League.”
