NAN-S-19
Basketball
By Victor Okoye
Abuja, Oct. 13, 2016 (NAN) The Army Headquarters’ (AHQ) basketball teams on Thursday showed their dominance in the male and female basketball event respectively, defeating their opponents to reach the finals.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that both teams had been ruthless during the round robin stages, posting blowout wins to reach the semi-finals.
The male basketball semi-final match saw AHQ defeat 1 Div., Kaduna 74-61, while the AHQ female team out- dunked 81 Division, Lagos 64-16.
The AHQ male team dominated the first and second quarter, but lost a little steam in the third quarter.
They, however, finished strong in the fourth quarter, winning 15-12, 23-14,16-20, 20-15.
Taiwo Tanko of AHQ was the most valuable player of the match as he amassed a total of 30 points.
He was closely followed by Odukunle Odunuga, captain of 1 Division who amassed 28 points for his side.
“Our team has got depth and a lot of experience. This is what has seen us through from the round robin stages up to this point.
“We are glad to be in the final and hope we can finish up by winning the ultimate prize.
“It wouldn’t be an easy match because we would also be playing a formidable side in 81 Division, Lagos, who have also been on a 3-match winning streak,’’ Tanko said.
Odunuga, on his part, said that his team played a very formidable side, adding, however, that most of his teammates were suffering from exhaustion after taking part in several other events.
“We have a good first team, but our bench is depleted as we don’t have enough substitutes to replace some fatigued players.
“We are, however, happy for at least making it this far. We will be playing 2 Div., Ibadan, in the third place match on Friday and we are confident that we can claim the bronze medal,’’ he said.
The other semi-final encounter also played on Thursday, saw 81 Div, Lagos, walk-over 2 Div., Ibadan, to book a final berth against AHQ on Friday.
In the female category, AHQ who have won all their three matches so far in the tournament, amassing a total of 9 points, will take on 1 Div., Kaduna, for the ultimate prize.
In the third place match, 2 Div., Ibadan, with two wins and a loss, will battle 81 Division, Lagos, who have won only one match for the bronze medal.
NAN reports that the Sports festival which kicked off on Oct. 8, will end on Oct. 15. (NAN)
VO/AMY
===
Edited by Abdullahi Yusuf