Basketball Final 8 Play Offs, Pillars keep Hope Alive

Sani Ahmed Pillars coach

 By Femi Adefeso:
Defending champions Kano Pillars kept their title defense on track, but not without a stiff battle from the Dodan Warriors, as the Lagos boys came from behind twice to tie the champions only to lose by 1 point in the closing seconds 67-66, after Matthew Omenya stole an inbound pass from John Oweh to score an easy layup with the game tied at 63-63.


Dele Ademola caused further damage to extend their lead to 4 points with 11 seconds to go before Romaric Quenum buried a  consolation buzzer beater 3pointer to bring the Warriors to within one with no time on the game clock.

Highlight of the afternoon was Abubakar Usman's 5straight 3pointers totalling 26 points while Simone Owochio banged 2- 3points shots reply in the 3rd quarter.

Romaric Quantum top scored for the gallant Warriors with 22 points as Warriors lost the Semi final place to Union Bank who beat Kada Stars 69-60 to join the reigning champions from Group B.

In Group A, Mark Mentors cemented their place in the Semi finals with a 65-52 points victory over Customs, thanks to captain Stanley Gumut who has been outstanding all playoffs bagging in 15 of his 19points from behind the arc with 3 wins from 3, in a tight group that has Lagos Islanders lose the Semi final ticket to Gombe Bulls in a 72-62 point win after in  3 way fight for final semi final ticket with 1 win 2 loses each in between the 3 team.

The Semi Finals today will see Kano Pillars take on Gombe Bulls at 4 pm while Mark Mentors takes on Union Bank at 6pm for a place in the Finals .