2026 NPBL: Rivers Hoopers suffer first setback as Hoops & Read stage comeback win

Posted : 22 May 2026

Rivers Hoopers endured their first major stumble of the ongoing 2026 Nigeria Basketball Premier League (NPBL) Phase I after surrendering a commanding lead to lose 70-65 against Hoops & Read in a thrilling Atlantic Conference Group A clash in Ibadan on Wednesday.

The KingsMen appeared firmly in control after opening a 14-point cushion early in the third quarter, but a dramatic collapse in concentration and ball management allowed Hoops & Read to claw back into the contest before dominating the decisive final quarter 21-12 to seal a memorable comeback victory.

A major turning point in the game was Rivers Hoopers’ poor ball handling, as they committed 21 turnovers which translated into 25 points for their opponents. The usually composed KingsMen also struggled to maintain their offensive rhythm under pressure.

Interim Head Coach Ronald Alalibo admitted his side paid heavily for careless decision-making and a lack of discipline during crucial moments.

“We were not being religious to certain things that we were doing; our decision-making became hasty, and at that point we started making unforced errors,” Alalibo said after the game.

Although Rivers Hoopers dominated the rebounds 48-44, they failed to control key areas defensively, conceding 17 free throws — their highest allowed tally of the season so far. For the first time this campaign, they were also outscored from the bench 38-23.

Alalibo did not hide his disappointment with the performance, describing it as well below the team’s expected standard.

“Today's performance is outrightly below the bar. We expected to be better, but today we played way below our level. We are disappointed by the loss; we have to learn from it and move on,” he stated.

Point guard Johnson Anaiye pointed to fatigue and defensive shortcomings as contributing factors behind the defeat after four consecutive days of action in Ibadan.

“I feel we didn't really play so bad, and at the same time we didn't really play as good as we ought to. We've been playing for four straight days, so something like this result was expected. But overall we didn't really play good defense on them,” Anaiye explained.

Despite the defeat, the guard remains optimistic that the KingsMen can quickly recover if they tighten up defensively and avoid complacency.

“It’s just to intensify our defense in the next game. The fact you won at first does not mean you're still going to win the next game. If we come out with the right mentality, we’re going to pick all the remaining games,” he added.

Team captain Victor Koko once again led Rivers Hoopers offensively with 13 points and six rebounds, while John Idoga added 10 points. Abel Offia contributed eight points and seven rebounds, while Victor Sunday chipped in eight points, three rebounds, and three assists.

The six-time Nigerian champions will now turn attention to their next fixture against Comets BC on Gameday Five. Rivers Hoopers had earlier defeated Comets by 30 points on Gameday Two, but Alalibo insists his side must approach the rematch with renewed focus and urgency.

“This game is like an eye-opener that our team is beatable. We’ll go back, correct our mistakes, and approach the next game with a positive mindset,” the coach concluded.

This unexpected defeat serves as a critical wakeup call for the former champions as they progress through Phase I. By addressing the costly turnovers and defensive lapses highlighted by the coaching staff, Rivers Hoopers can re-establish their dominant form. The upcoming rematch against Comets BC presents an immediate opportunity for the squad to bounce back with greater tactical discipline and secure a vital victory.

2026 NPBL: Rivers Hoopers suffer first setback as Hoops & Read stage comeback win

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