Idubamo Pius Beggi says it feels like the whole world loves her right now after winning her first NBBF/Zenith Bank Women’s Basketball League MVP award following MFM title triumph on Saturday.
“I feel very happy and blessed. It feels like the whole world loves me right now. I want to thank God for giving me this MVP award and for coming out in the Best Five. This is my first time winning the MVP in the League, so it’s really big for me,” Beggi told www.aclsports.com in an exclusive post-match interview.
MFM defeated First Bank 66–64 in overtime, with Beggi contributing 19 points, nine assists and eight rebounds, including the free throw that sent the game into a deciding period and the assist for Regina Iornumbe’s winner.
On First Bank’s comeback, Beggi said she remained confident in her teammates.
“At first, honestly, I wasn’t scared because I believe in my girls, myself and God. So even when we went into overtime, I was like, ‘You see? This is our second chance, let’s make it right. Let’s go in there and play.’ I caused a turnover and felt really bad because I thought I had disappointed my teammates, but they kept encouraging me. So I told myself, ‘Okay, let’s go, girl.’ Then we got the win,” Beggi said.
Beggi said last season’s semi-final defeat motivated MFM to return stronger this year.
“We just needed to win because we lost at the semi-finals, not even the finals. We were pained, we were angry, and we were determined. So we worked hard and put ourselves together, practised sisterly love, and we came out stronger this season,” she said.
She also reflected on her tournament performance, admitting she struggled in the second game before finding her rhythm again.
“The first game, it was okay. I think the second game I was off. But then, after that game, my teammates were encouraging, very encouraging. I love them so much. So they talked to me personally and together, and yeah, I picked up till the last game,” she said.
Beggi has represented Nigeria at the U18 Afrobasket, winning silver, and at the FIBA U19 Women’s Basketball World Cup, experiences she believes have helped develop her game.
“I noticed that the basketball is very tough here in Nigeria, but it’s way tougher outside. So, from all those experiences, the physicality, the mental side of the game, I watch how the point guards make certain moves and the ideas they have. Even when I’m playing against them, I watch and learn from them.”
Image: Zenith Bank
