Mark ‘D’ Ball Championship: Kada Stars, Bauchi Nets, off to flying start
Kada Stars and Bauchi Nets Basketball Clubs were off to a flying start as they began their quest for qualification into the Round of 16 in the Mark ‘D’ Ball Men’s basketball championship in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Kada Stars defeated the Bayelsa basketball team 64 – 42, while Bauchi Nets beat the TAP basketball club of Ogun State 69 – 55 respectively in Matchday One Phase 1, Group 3 fixtures on Saturday.
Kada Stars showed their superiority early in the game as they dominated the match right from the blast of the referee’s whistle to take it 10-7, 22-10, 20-10, 12- 15.
Paul Dibal ran the show for the Kaduna-based club side as he scored a total of 24 points, including four steals and four turnovers.
Dibal combined well with Umoru Babatunde who also garnered 14 points, including five rebounds and one assist for a massive 22 point lead at the end of a one-sided encounter.
In the other game also played on Saturday, Bauchi Nets came back from two sets down to defeat TAP at the end of a thrilling encounter.
The Ogun-based club side had taken the first two quarters 17-12, 14-13 for a 31-25 lead at the end of the second quarter.
However, Bauchi Nets rallied in the third quarter to take it 19-10 for a 44 – 41 scoreline and completed their comeback in the fourth quarter, making it 25-14 to finish the game with a shocking 14 point lead, for a 69-55 win.
The quartet of Suleiman Hassan, Chidubem Wisdom, Philip Israel and Armstrong Omoikhudu were instrumental to the team’s victory as they scored a combined total of 45 points, including 18 rebounds, four assists and 10 turnovers.
NAN also reports that other results of Matchday One saw Delta Force lose 70-79 to Kano Pillars, while Novena Heartlanders of Imo out-dunked Benue Braves 79-66.
The three-month-long championship which resumed on Saturday with the Phase 1, Group three final round of matches will end on Friday.
Five teams each are expected to qualify from each of the three (eight-team) groups for the Round of 16, with the best loser joining the qualified teams.
Mo’ Heat, Gombe Bulls, Hot Coal Ballers, Nile University Spartans and APA Flames have already qualified from Phase 1 Group 1.
Also, Nigeria Customs, FCT Hardrockers, Kwara Falcons, Suleja Bulldogs and Civil Defenders are the already qualified teams from Phase 1 Group 2. (NAN)
