PORT HARCOURT, Nigeria — Rivers Hoopers recovered from a slow start and a firm defensive press to defeat Hoops & Read 68-58 on Tuesday, extending their unbeaten run to three games on Day Three of the 2026 Nigeria Premier Basketball League (NPBL) Playoffs.
In what was the third meeting for both sides this year, the six-time Nigerian champions found themselves on the back foot early on as Hoops & Read raced out to an 18-7 lead midway through the opening quarter, thanks to aggressive ball pressure and a persistent zone defense. Hoops & Read took a 23-19 advantage into the second quarter before the KingsMen rallied to narrow the deficit to 38-36 at the halftime break.
The hosts shifted the momentum in the second half by raising their defensive intensity, outscoring Hoops & Read 21-12 in the third quarter to carry a seven-point cushion into the final period. The Hoopers stretched their lead to as many as 12 points midway through the fourth quarter while holding Hoops & Read to just eight points in the closing frame to wrap up the victory.
“Like I said yesterday, there is no game that is easy,” Rivers Hoopers head coach Ogoh Odaudu said after the match. “We knew from what they were doing in the other games that we were going to see a zone defense throughout, and we didn’t really work too much on it. But happily, we overcame that, and we started scoring in the third and the fourth quarters.”
Onyebuchi Nwaiwu led the Hoopers in scoring with 13 points, while John Idoga added 9 points, delivering timely buckets in key moments. Tunisian international point guard Omar Abada made his debut for the team, scoring 9 points on three 3-pointers and recording 5 assists in 21 minutes of action, which thrilled the crowd. Inside, Peter Olisemeka tallied 7 points and 8 rebounds, while Samuel Sani collected 7 boards and 2 blocks.
Despite being out-rebounded for the first time in three games (50-42), the Hoopers drew vital energy from their bench, which contributed 27 points after switching up on defense.
“We had to step up defense because we were playing terrible defense and that was what was affecting us on offense,” Odaudu noted on the mid-game turnaround. “Once we started making stops, I knew we were going to be fine. Before the end of the half, when we cut it down to single digits, I knew it was just a matter of time.”
Odaudu also provided updates on player management, noting that big man Nikolaos Okekuoyen sat out for strategic reasons due to the high tempo, while Raphiael Putney was rested after experiencing a minor back issue, with both expected to play significant roles on Wednesday when the KingsMen take on Gboko City Chiefs.
Other 2026 NPBL Playoffs Day Four fixtures are as follows;
Hoops & Read vs 313 Warriors (12pm)
Maktown Flyers vs Kano Pillars (2pm)
Lagos Raptors vs Aso Sky Hawks (4pm)
All games will be played at the Basketball Stadium, 59 Niger Street, Port Harcourt Township, Rivers State.
