All is now set for the commencement of this year’s Final Eight Play-offs among the top eight teams from the Atlantic and Savannah Conferences of the DStv Premier Basketball League (PBL).
Officials of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), organisers of the competition, in conjunction with the sponsors, Multichoice Nigeria, have finally said the competition will hold from Thursday, July 10 to Saturday, July 19 at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.
After a long delay on the dates for the commencement of the competition, the participating teams heaved a sigh of relief when the organisers announced the dates for the competition.
“At last, we’ve been communicated on the dates for the competition, and it is a relief for us, though the time-table has not been made,” said Secretary of Dodan Warriors Basketball Club, Joe Apu.
As it is at the end of the regular season, Islanders Basketball Club of Lagos leads three others namely: Dodan Warriors also of Lagos, Union Bank also of Lagos and Oluyole Warriors Basketball Club of Ibadan, from the Atlantic Conference to the Final Eight Play-offs.
Leading the teams from the Savannah Conference is defending champion, Kano Pillars Basketball Club of Kano.
Others from the Conference are Mark Mentors Basketball Club of Abuja, Gombe Bulls Basketball Club of Gombe, and Plateau Peaks Basketball Club of Jos.
Apu said with the announcement of the dates, his team will be putting finishing touches to its preparation for a successful outing.
“We will be rounding off our preparations for the competition and getting set for the competition proper, with the announcement of the dates.
“Our players are aware of the task ahead of the competition and we are not going to take chances, as we have prepared very hard for the competition.
“We know it will be tough, considering the pedigree of the participating teams; but I want to state that we are equal to the task and all hands would be deck from the proprietor of the club, Col. Sam Ahmedu (rtd), to other officials towards achieving success at the end of the competition on July 19,” he said.
