Rivers Hoopers coach, Ogoh Odaudu has picked Abel Offia of Raptors as the dangerman ahead of their NBBF President Cup final on Sunday.
Odaudu and his Hoopers side set up a date with the tournament rookies, Raptors, after overcoming a stubborn Kwara Falcons in the semi-final on Saturday.
Hooper’s defeated Falcons 78-64 points to book their place in Sunday’s grand finale against the youngest team in the tournament, Raptors.
Raptors were trying first to seal a ticket to the final following their 84-81 points victory over their latest victims, Niger Potters, in the first semi-final played earlier in the day.
Moments after his Hoops qualified for the final, coach Odaudu was already thinking about the final against Raptors, whose dangerman, according to him, is Offia – a player his Hoopers team must keep an eye on come Sunday.
“Raptors number 5, (Abel) Offia, the shooter, ” Odaudu replied, after a www.aclsports.com reporter asked him to pick a player from Raptors his side needs to keep an eye on in the final.
“He is a very young boy, very consistent, and I’m very impressed with his level of play – in his first time playing at this level (and) putting up numbers like that.”
“He is someone that we are going to look out for, ” he added.
Offia has been one of the best players for Raptors in the NBBF President Cup national final.
The shooter has been quite consistent with his performance, having averaged 18.3 points in the last three matches (including the semi-final clash).
In the semi-final match against the Potters, Offia put in another superb display to help the Raptors seal their first-ever appearance in the final of the President Cup.
He led his team against Potters with 17 points, three rebounds and four assists.
On how he plans to stop the imperious Office, Odaudu was very coy on his plans to stop the youngster.
“That’s a strategy that I am not willing to disclose right now. You will see it tomorrow (Sunday) when it happens, ” the experienced coach concluded.
