After much controversy in the basketball scene on where and when to stage the 2017 Kwese Premier Basketball League playoffs, the Savannah Conference playoffs dunked off on Monday in Kaduna.
President of the Nigeria Basket ball Federation, Musa Kida had wanted to stop the playoffs citing power change from the former board led by Tijani Umar.
You will recall that FIBA had sent a letter recognizing none of the elections, June 12 in Kano and Abuja election the following day.
Consequently, FIBA decided it would relate with the Kida group as a communication channel pending when a lasting peace will be restored in Nigeria basketball bearing in mind the November 30th deadline.
In Monday’s result, Kada Stars were beaten 69-88 points by Plateau Peaks, Niger Potters defeated Bauchi Nets 77-56 points. The last game of the day which was the star match, Gombe Bulls fell 97-104 points to defending champions Kano Pillars.
Abubakar Usman led four other players in double digits. Usman scored 29 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists, Lucky Subel had 18points and 3 assists, Azuoma Dike added 15 points and 4 rebounds while Dele Ademola contributed 12 points, 7 rebounds and 3 steals and Eli Abraham made 10 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists.
Pillars led from start to finish with only one lead change recorded in the game and just once was the game tied. They were able to make 26/36 from the free throw line and 14 of 35 from the arc.
For the Bulls, Sylvanus Yakubu also scored 29 points with 8 rebounds and 13 of 14 from the free throw line, also accurate in his free throws was Kator Gar missing just 1 of 12 while scoring 16 points and 3 rebounds to go with it. Simon Owoicho and Ibe Agu added 10 points and 11 points respectively for the Gombe Bulls.
Action will continue on Tuesday in the Savannah Conference at 12 pm in Kaduna. Gombe Bulls will want to bounce back from their first loss when they meet Niger Potters at 12pm, Kada Stars will play Kano Pillars at 2pm while Plateau Peaks will battle Bauchi Nets at 4pm.
In the Atlantic conference 6 playoffs, opening games will tip off in Ilorin also on Tuesday. Hoops & Read will play against Oluyole Warriors at 12pm, Kwara Falcons will face Police Baton at 2pm while Rivers Hoopers will take on Nigeria Customs at 4 pm in the last game of the day.
