The 2018 KwesePBL final 8 playoffs has entered the semi final stage of the competition. Defending champions Kano Pillars have their arch rivals Gombe Bulls standing in their way to a 10th straight final.
Hoops &Read come up against Kwara Falcons in a quest for their first ever final in the Premier League. Kwara Falcons and Gombe Bulls join Kano Pillars and Hoops & Read who booked their places in the semi-finals on Wednesday.
Ibe Agu led the way with 23 points, 7/17 from the floor and scored 9 of 9 of his free throws as Gombe Bulls beat Bauchi Nets 69-66 points. John Iduh and Okiki Afuwape scored 10 points each in the game. Anambra Flames were beaten by Kwara Falcons 76-34 points.
In other games played on Thursday, Kano Pillars beat Ahip Giants 112-80 points while Customs lost to Hoops & Read 101-67 points.
Kano Pillars finished as Group A winners winning all three games while Kwara Falcons finished second winning two and losing one to Pillars. The two newly promoted sides Anambra Flames and Ahip Giants finished third and fourth respectively.
In Group B, Hoops & Read won all three games to top the group while Gombe Bulls finished second ahead of Bauchi Nets and Nigeria Customs in third and fourth respectively .
In a repeat of the Conference finals, Kano Pillars will face their arch rivals Gombe Bulls while Hoops & Read will take on Kwara Falcons in the semis on Saturday.
Teams will take a rest on Friday to visit less privileged children at the Nasarawa Children’s home in Kano.
The delegation led by factional Vice President Olumide Oyedeji will use the opportunity of the visit to play with the children and mentor them as well as donate some items to them.
The Outreach programme which started five years ago is part of the NBBF’s Community Relations Service to reach out to the less privileged in the society.