Abel Offia poured in a game-high 28 points to lead the Rivers Hoopers to a 74-60 victory over the Aso Sky Hawks on Sunday, as the six-time Nigerian champions opened their 2026 Nigeria Premier Basketball League (NPBL) Final Four campaign with a decisive statement victory.
The game was a direct rematch of the playoff phase finale, where the Sky Hawks had handed Rivers Hoopers their only loss of the postseason. This time, the KingsMen ensured history would not repeat itself in a heated, high-stakes battle that featured intense defensive pressure and fourth-quarter technical fouls called against both sides.
Hoopers established control early, opening up a 39-28 lead at the break behind sharp long-range shooting and overall offensive superiority. Nikolaos Okekuoyen went a perfect 2-of-2 from deep on his way to 11 points, while center Peter Olisemeka anchored the interior with 8 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 assists.
Aso Sky Hawks clawed their way back in the second half, capitalizing on defensive pressure to cut the deficit to 55-49 by the end of the third period and pulling within two points at 57-55 early in the fourth quarter.
However, the KingsMen responded with an explosive, game-clinching 15-0 run to push their advantage to 72-55.
Tunisian point guard Omar Abada, who finished with 9 points and 5 assists, ignited the surge with a three-pointer before Offia sank back-to-back triples to put the contest out of reach. Offia finished 5-of-10 from beyond the arc while grabbing 7 rebounds, and Johnson Anaiye added 9 points off the bench.
“Being that it was the first game, I knew it was going to be a bit of a struggle, but I like the way they [my players] dug deep,” Rivers Hoopers head coach Ogoh Odaudu said after the win. “They stayed resilient, composed, and disciplined. They [Sky Hawks] were fouling a lot in the first half, so I told the team that it would take a toll on them in the fourth quarter—and that’s exactly what happened.”
Offia credited team unity and motivation from their earlier setback for the strong response.
“We needed to lose that playoff game to win this one,” Offia said. “I was very angry about that first loss, so we came back and talked to ourselves. My teammates kept finding me with the pass, and that’s why I was able to score. We got the win, but we have two more games to go and need to stay locked in.”
Rivers Hoopers return to the court on Monday, September 21, for a Day Two showdown against the Gboko City Chiefs. Both sides will be seeking to build on 1-0 starts after the City Chiefs upset defending champions Maktown Flyers 74-73 in Sunday’s opening fixture.
“We are not going to rely on our past record against them—it’s a brand new day,” Odaudu added, looking ahead to the Chiefs matchup. “We are going to come out with the same mentality and physicality, and hopefully take the day.”
