By Emeka Dennar
Day Two of the 2026 Nigeria Premier Basketball League (NPBL) Playoffs lived up to expectations, delivering thrilling contests, dramatic finishes, and impressive performances. Maktown Flyers, 313 Warriors, and Gboko City Chiefs all secured hard-fought victories, while hosts Rivers Hoopers bounced back from a slow start to defeat Lagos Raptors 69-50.
The action began with a closely fought encounter between Kano Pillars and 313 Warriors. Kano Pillars edged the first quarter 15-12 and maintained a slim lead for much of the game. One of the standout moments came from Armstrong Carl, who sliced through defenders before finishing with a brilliant jump shot and celebrating with a slide across the court. With five minutes left in the second quarter, Pillars led 24-23 and later extended the advantage to 26-24. However, 313 Warriors stayed within touching distance. After missing an earlier three-pointer, Yusuf Tanko responded with a crucial two-point basket, while Ibrahim Abdulkadir sealed a dramatic 62-61 victory with a game-winning buzzer-beater.
Defending champions Maktown Flyers were pushed all the way by Hoop & Read in the second game of the day. Both teams started strongly and played at a high tempo. Hoop & Read controlled much of the second quarter and built a 12-point lead, the largest advantage of the game. But the Flyers showed the experience and resilience of champions, gradually clawing their way back before securing a narrow 72-70 victory.
The third game featured a thrilling showdown between Gboko City Chiefs and Aso Skyhawks. Aso made the brighter start, with Ibe Agu scoring the opening basket and Oliver Hampton adding two free throws. The Chiefs quickly responded, with Tolani Buhari sparking a strong run after a key steal at midcourt. Hampton thrilled the crowd with a powerful dunk and later added a three-pointer as Gboko City took control. Their strong offensive display and solid defense helped them build a commanding 51-32 halftime lead.
Aso Skyhawks refused to give up and mounted an impressive comeback after the break. Improved defending and sharper attacking play saw them cut the deficit to 62-53 by the end of the third quarter. The momentum continued in the fourth quarter as they reduced the gap to five points before making it 67-66 through Chinbuo Chinedu. With just over four minutes remaining, Aso completed the comeback and tied the game at 70-70, setting up another dramatic finish. However, Gboko City Chiefs held their nerve in the closing stages and secured an exciting 83-80 victory.
In the final game of the day, six-time Nigerian champions Rivers Hoopers claimed their second straight win of the playoffs with a convincing 69-50 triumph over Lagos Raptors. The visitors matched the KingsMen basket for basket in the opening quarter, which ended 15-15. Rivers Hoopers then took complete control in the second quarter, outscoring the Raptors 20-9 to establish a comfortable halftime advantage. The hosts maintained their dominance in the second half to seal an impressive 69-50 victory and continue their strong start to the playoffs.
