By Emeka Dennar
Rivers Hoopers suffered their first loss of the 2026 Nigeria Premier Basketball League (NPBL) Playoffs on Saturday, falling 74-67 to Aso Sky Hawks in their final round-robin game.
The defeat had little impact on the KingsMen, who had already secured a place in the Final Four days earlier. For Aso Sky Hawks, however, the victory was crucial as it confirmed their qualification for the championship round.
Aso Sky Hawks made a strong start, racing to a 24-15 lead in the first quarter. Rivers Hoopers responded by winning the second quarter 24-21, but struggled to maintain momentum as a poor shooting night proved costly. The Port Harcourt side managed just five of their 28 three-point attempts, shooting 17.8 percent from beyond the arc, while also losing the rebound battle 49-41.
Despite the defeat, vice-captain Onyebuchi Nwaiwu delivered an impressive double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Nikolaos Okekuoyen, Peter Olisemeka, and Anaiye Johnson also contributed eight points each.
Head coach Ogoh Odaudu downplayed the result, insisting it was simply an off day for his team rather than a cause for concern.
“We were just off tonight. We didn’t play our usual basketball,” Odaudu said after the game. “We didn’t play as well as we usually do, and we lost by seven points, so it was just one of those days where nothing seemed to work for you. Nothing to be alarmed about.”
The experienced coach reiterated that qualifying for the Final Four had always been the team’s primary objective.
“Our major aim in the tournament was to qualify for the Final Four, which we had done as far back as three or four days ago,” he said. “So all these games were opportunities for us to improve. Whether we won or lost, I believe we got better.”
After completing seven demanding games in seven consecutive days, teams will now enjoy a short break before returning for the season-ending Final Four, where the 2026 NPBL champions will be crowned.
Odaudu revealed that recovery will be the immediate focus before preparations for the title-deciding tournament begin.
“The first week is going to be a week of rest. These players are not machines. They’ve played back-to-back games for seven days,” he said. “We’ll allow them to recover, while the coaching staff starts planning for the next phase. In the second and third weeks, we’ll be back to full training and hard work.”
Center Peter Olisemeka also acknowledged the physical toll of the packed schedule but said the team remains focused on the bigger goal.
“It’s definitely not normal to play seven games in seven days,” Olisemeka said. “The games have been very physical and the players are fatigued. Congratulations to Aso Sky Hawks for the win, but we’re looking ahead to the Final Four. That’s where our main objective lies, and we have to keep pushing forward.”
