2025 NBPL Review: Shock Results, Revival Stories Define Dramatic Game Day 5

Posted : 22 May 2026

Top basketball teams are not finding it easy in the ongoing 2025 Nigeria Men’s Basketball Premier League (NBPL) as the latest round of games delivered major twists across all centres, with surprise upsets, resurgence from struggling sides, and dominant performances from title contenders shaping another thrilling round of fixtures.

The biggest shock of the day came in Jos, where newcomers 313 Warriors of Niger State produced a stunning 92-71 victory over home favourites Plateau Peaks inside the Indoor Sports Hall.

The emphatic win left fans of the Plateau-based side disappointed, while the Warriors continued to announce themselves as serious contenders despite being newcomers to the league.

At the same centre, Kano Pillars continued their impressive recovery from an opening day defeat to Gombe Bulls, securing a 67-57 win over Bauchi Nets. The victory marked Pillars’ third consecutive win, while Bauchi Nets remained without a victory after four games.

In Benin City, defending champions Mark Town Flyers showed no signs of slowing down after their rest day, comfortably defeating Edo Beads 79-63 to extend their winning streak.

The defeat further compounded Edo Beads’ struggles, as the hosts remain rooted near the bottom of the standings with just one win from four matches.

Kwara Falcons also continued to struggle for consistency, falling 51-46 to Athletes For Peace in another closely contested encounter at the Benin centre.

Ibadan witnessed contrasting fortunes for some of the conference’s biggest sides.

Raptors continued their resurgence with an impressive 82-65 victory over Hoops & Read, recording their second straight win after a difficult start to the campaign.

Rivers Hoopers also bounced back strongly from their surprising loss in the previous round, thrashing Comets 92-61 in a one-sided affair.

Comets, meanwhile, remain one of the league’s struggling sides, having failed to record a win after five matches.

At the Abuja centre, Aso Hawks delivered one of the day’s dominant performances, defeating Niger Potters 88-62, while Gboko City Chiefs edged Nile University 86-80 in a tightly fought contest.

Game Day 5 Results

Benin City Centre

Kwara Falcons 46-51 Athletes For Peace

Edo Beads 63-79 Mark Town Flyers

Ibadan Centre

Hoops & Read 65-82 Raptors

Rivers Hoopers 92-61 Comets

Abuja Centre

Aso Hawks 88-62 Niger Potters

Gboko City Chiefs 86-80 Nile University

Jos Centre

Bauchi Nets 57-67 Kano Pillars

313 Warriors 92-71 Plateau Peaks

Attention now shifts to Game Day 6 fixtures, which begin the reverse encounters across all centres.

With teams now familiar with one another’s tactics and playing styles, the return fixtures are expected to produce more intensity, revenge battles, and tactical adjustments as clubs continue their push for favourable standings in the league.

The intense action recorded across all courts reinforces the highly competitive nature of this premier basketball season. As heavyweights battle to protect their statuses and underdogs consistently defy expectations, the race for premium postseason positions remains completely wide open. Basketball enthusiasts nationwide can expect even greater theatricality and strategic evolution as the crucial reverse fixtures commence.

2025 NBPL Review: Shock Results, Revival Stories Define Dramatic Game Day 5

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