Basketball: Hoopers Battle Falcons, Raptors Faceoff Against Potters In President Cup Semis

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Rivers Hoopers will face Kwara Falcons while Niger Potters battle Raptors of Lagos in the semifinals of the last phase of the NBBF Premier League also known as the President Cup National Final 8.

Both encounters will take place on Saturday, 16 November at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Lagos.

Falcons booked their semifinal ticket after beating Nigerian Army Rockets 77-49 points in their last game in Group B.

In a game that either side needed to win to finish second in their group, it was Falcons who took their chances as they dominated proceedings to earn a well deserved victory.

Elsewhere, only 4 points separated Niger Potters and Benue Braves as Potters picked a 88- 84 victory to secured a semifinal ticket.

Lucky Subel scored 21 points, 5 assists and 10 rebounds while the duo of Gabriel Erameh and John Enudi scored 19 points each.

Islanders recorded their first win at the National final 8 after two losses but it was not enough to book a semifinal place as the 88-82 defeat of fellow Lagos club and semifinal bound Raptors ultimately proved in vain.

Rivers Hoopers defeated Defenders of Abuja 69-56 points as they continued their unbeaten run in the competition.

Following their 69-56 win against Civil Defenders on Friday, the KingsMen finished as Group A winners having won all three games against Niger Potters, Benue Braves and Civil Defenders.

The last time Kwara Falcons and Hoopers met at the Final 8 was at the third place game of the 2016 DSTV Basketball League Finals. Rivers Hoopers beat the Ilorin based side 59-57 points. Former Hoopers guard Victor Atisele led the way with 13 points, six rebounds while vice-captain of the team Ronald Alalibo added 13 points, three rebounds and two assists.

Speaking ahead of their game against Falcons on Saturday, head coach Ogoh Odadudu said: “Kwara Falcons are a strong team and they are well coached. Coincidentally, their coach is a team mate of mine we played together in Comets and on the national team.

“At one point in time we would have met but meeting now doesn’t change anything we are on a mission and our mission is to pick the sole ticket for the NBA Africa game next year.”

Hoopers are on an 8-match winning streak dating back to the first phase of the NBBF President Cup in Ilorin.

“It is not easy keeping a winning streak and when you keep winning you become a target for other people and everyone comes with a mentality that they want to come and stop that winning streak and you become a team to beat,” he added.

PAST MEETINGS

Hoopers 61-58 Falcons April 15, 2016 W

Hoopers 65-75 Falcons April 16, 2016 L

Falcons 81-73 Hoopers May 27, 2016 L

Falcons 58-60 Hoopers May 28, 2016 W

Hoopers 64-61 Falcons June 9, 2016 W

Hoopers 59-57 Falcons June 25, 2016 W

Hoopers 66-60 Falcons April 27, 2017 W

Falcons 93-57 Hoopers May 25, 2017 L

Hoopers 72-81 Falcons June 22, 2017 L

Falcons 74-70 Hoopers July 27, 2017 L

Kwara 68-57 Hoopers August 21, 2017 L

2019 NBBF President Cup Semifinals

Raptors v Niger Potters 3pm

Rivers Hoopers v Kwara Falcons 5pm