Bayelsa Blue Whales will be in action against ASO Sky Queens in Wednesday’s opening game of the ongoing NBBF Women’s Basketball League Final 8 at Lagos National Stadium, Surulere, Sports247 reports.
The day’s second game will see Victoria Queens step out against Nigeria Customs, following which nine-time record-title winners, First Bank of Lagos will face-off with Air Warriors, while Mountain of Fire Ministries (MFM) end the day’s fixtures versus Titans.
The midweek clashes come 24 hours after First Bank achieved a winning start to this year’s championship by defeating newcomers Victoria Queens 68-57 on Tuesday, as ‘The Elephant Girls’ showed huge potential to clinch the title that was last won by Dolphins.
The opening fixture brought together two sides that had met twice during the regular season, with both teams recording one victory apiece across the first and second phases of the competition, and everyone knew it was bound to be an explosive game.
They both clashed in the Atlantic Conference, where Victoria Queens won during the first phase in Lagos before losing at the second phase in Port Harcourt and First Bank again showed their supremacy on Tuesday, as they took control from the outset.
They won the first three quarters 19-14, 16-7 and 21-11 to establish a 56-32 lead into the final quarter, though Victoria Queens produced a spirited response in the closing period by outscoring their more experienced opponents 25-12.
Nonetheless, the comeback was too late, as First Bank stood firm to secure a 68-57 win at the start of their 2026 Final 8 campaign and clinch an early boost in their bid to reclaim the league title, while Victoria Queens will need a stronger show in their next outing.
Sports247 gathered further that the eight competing clubs qualified for the contest by finishing among the top-four in their respective regional zones – Atlantic Conference and Savannah Conference – after two phases in the regular league season.
While Atlantic Conference produced for the Final 8 MFM, First Bank, Bayelsa Blue Whales, and Victoria Queens, the Savannah Conference provided Nigeria Customs, Aso Sky Queens, Titans and Air Warriors.
The Final 8 group stage games will end this Thursday, October 1st, with the top two teams from each advancing to the semi-finals scheduled for Friday, following which the third-place match and final will both hold on Saturday, October 3rd, to conclude the 2026 season.
