Port Harcourt has been picked as the host city for the 2026 Nigeria Premier Basketball League playoffs for the fourth year in a row. This comes after a small change in the schedule by the League Management Committee of the Nigeria Basketball Federation.
The playoffs, also known as Phase Three, were originally set for August 22 to 29. They will now take place from August 29 to September 6 at the Basketball Stadium, 59 Niger Street, Port Harcourt Township, Rivers State.
NBBF Vice-President and League Chairman Babatunde Ogunade and Secretary-General Amina Amanchi praised the teams that qualified for their professionalism and strong performances so far.
With the new schedule, teams will arrive on August 29 for pre-tournament meetings. The matches will happen from August 30 to September 5, and teams will leave on September 6.
The eight-team round-robin tournament includes four teams from the Atlantic Conference: Rivers Hoopers, Maktown Flyers, Hoops & Read, and Lagos Raptors. The Savannah Conference teams are Aso Sky Hawks, 313 Warriors, Gboko City Chiefs, and Kano Pillars.
Meanwhile, six-time champions Rivers Hoopers are ramping up their preparations for Phase Three. Interim head coach Ronald Alalibo is stressing the need for team unity and full mental focus as they get ready for the playoffs.
The KingsMen, who are in the Atlantic Conference, want to reclaim their spot at the top of Nigerian basketball. They had a strong showing in Phases One and Two, with records of 4-1 and 6-1.
Ahead of the playoffs, Alalibo highlighted that each player on the team will have an important role. The coaching staff is working on improving the team’s chemistry and readiness.
“It’s very important because at this time, every person is key to our goal in this year’s Basketball Premier League. Everybody is important to us, and everybody needs to be on the ground.
“Not just being on the ground, you have to come 100 percent with our set goal in your heart, that we are here to win the league. Everybody needs to work together mentally, physically and otherwise,” Alalibo said.
In the Phase Three playoffs, the KingsMen will face other Atlantic Conference teams like Maktown Flyers, Hoops & Read, and Lagos Raptors, along with Savannah Conference teams Aso Sky Hawks, 313 Warriors, Gboko City Chiefs, and Kano Pillars in a round-robin format.
Hoopers are eager to win back the NPBL title after being dethroned by Maktown Flyers, who played as Lagos Legends last year.
Drop your comment
No comments yet — be the first to drop the gist 👇