KINGSMEN RESIST KANO’S TOUGH PILLARS TO START 2026 NPBL PLAYOFFS WITH KEY VICTORY

PORT HARCOURT, Nigeria – The Rivers Hoopers kicked off their 2026 Nigeria Premier Basketball League (NPBL) playoff campaign with an 84-71 victory over a resilient Kano Pillars team on Sunday.

The KingsMen opened the game on a 10-0 run to set an early pace and extend their lead to 14 points before going into halftime with an eight-point lead.

Kano Pillars mounted a strong comeback in the second half, fueled by clinical perimeter shots from beyond the arc. Pillars cut the deficit to 61-60 early in the fourth quarter and pulled within two points at 69-67 with just over three minutes left. However, Rivers Hoopers repelled the final threat, closing the game with a decisive 15-4.

“Well, I knew the first game was going to be like this; it was going to be scrappy,” Rivers Hoopers coach Ogoh Odaudu said after the win. “All we wanted was to win because that’s the goal right now: one game at a time, keep winning.”

John Idoga led the Hoopers with 15 points, while Abel Offia added 12. Peter Olisemeka anchored the frontcourt with a double-double, grabbing 12 rebounds to go along with 11 points, while Onyebuchi Nwaiwu had 7 points and 8 rebounds. The Hoopers bench also contributed 49 points.

Despite the win, ball protection and defensive consistency remained concerns for Odaudu’s men as the Hoopers committed 25 turnovers to Pillars’ 16, allowing Kano to pile up 14 steals and score 24 points.

“We gave up too many open shots, we didn’t pressure the ball and we gave up too many offensive rebounds. So, that’s something we have to work on and we have to reduce,” Odaudu admitted. “Like I said, it was our first game; we still had nervousness and everything. But we’ll get better tomorrow.”

The Rivers Hoopers return to action on Monday for the second day of the playoffs when they take on the Lagos Raptors with a jump ball set for 6pm.

The other meetings on the second day are as follows;

Kano Pillars vs. 313 Warriors (12:00)

Hoops & Read vs Maktown Flyers (2pm)

Gboko City Chiefs-Aso Skyhawks (4pm)

All matches will be played at the Basket Stadium, 59 Niger Street, Port Harcourt Municipality, Rivers State.