Maktown Flyers, 313 Warriors survive Day Two thrillers at NPBL Final 8

Posted : 01 September 2026

Defending champions Maktown Flyers and 313 Warriors demonstrated remarkable composure in pressure moments as the 2026 Nigeria Premier Basketball League (NPBL) Final 8 produced another round of dramatic finishes on Day Two.

While Maktown Flyers overturned a 12-point deficit to edge Hoops & Read 72-70, 313 Warriors waited until the final buzzer to snatch a 62-61 victory over Kano Pillars, underlining the fine margins separating the teams in the playoff battle.

For Hoops & Read, the defeat was particularly painful as they once again came agonisingly close to securing their first victory of the competition.

After losing 63-57 to Aso Skyhawks on the opening day, Hoops & Read produced a much-improved display against the defending champions and appeared to have taken control when they established a 12-point lead in the second quarter.

Their intensity and attacking efficiency put Maktown Flyers under considerable pressure, with the defending champions forced to dig deep to stay within touching distance.

However, Maktown's championship experience became increasingly evident as the game progressed.

The defending champions gradually chipped away at the deficit through disciplined defence and improved execution before turning the contest into a tense battle in the closing stages.

Hoops & Read fought desperately to protect their advantage, but Maktown Flyers kept their composure when it mattered most to complete the comeback and secure the two-point victory.

The result gives Maktown two wins from two games, while Hoops & Read now face a difficult task to revive their Final 8 campaign.

Earlier, 313 Warriors produced the most dramatic finish of the day, edging Kano Pillars 62-61 in a contest that appeared to be heading in the latter's favour.

Kano Pillars controlled large portions of the game and looked set to bounce back from their opening-day defeat to Rivers Hoopers.

But the Warriors refused to surrender and mounted a late charge before Ibrahim Abdulkadir delivered the decisive basket at the buzzer to complete a stunning comeback.

The victory moved 313 Warriors to two wins from two games, while Kano Pillars suffered their second consecutive defeat.

Gboko City Chiefs also registered their first victory, holding off a spirited Aso Skyhawks comeback to prevail 83-80.

The Chiefs appeared firmly in control after building a commanding first-half advantage, but Aso Skyhawks responded strongly after the break.

The Skyhawks reduced the deficit to 67-66 before drawing level at 70-70 with just over four minutes remaining.

Gboko City Chiefs, however, produced the decisive plays in the closing stages to deny Aso a second straight victory.

Oliver Hampton led the Chiefs with 18 points, three rebounds and two assists.

Hosts Rivers Hoopers completed another impressive day by defeating Lagos Raptors 69-50 to maintain their unbeaten start.

The six-time champions survived a shaky opening before taking control after the interval and gradually pulling away from the Raptors.

Offia Abel and Buchi Nwaiwu contributed 10 points each as Rivers Hoopers secured their second victory in as many games and strengthened their position on home court.

With two rounds completed, the Final 8 is already living up to its billing as a fiercely competitive battle among Nigeria's leading basketball clubs.

The contrasting fortunes of the teams are becoming clearer, with Rivers Hoopers, 313 Warriors and Maktown Flyers maintaining perfect records, while Hoops & Read and Kano Pillars are still searching for their first victories.

For the teams with two defeats, however, the pressure is now mounting, with little room remaining for further slips as the race for the decisive positions intensifies.

Results

Day One

Hoops & Read 57–63 Aso Skyhawks

Rivers Hoopers 84–71 Kano Pillars

Maktown Flyers 90–84 Gboko City Chiefs

313 Warriors 79–57 Lagos Raptors

Day Two

Rivers Hoopers 69–50 Lagos Raptors

Hoops & Read 70–72 Maktown Flyers

Aso Skyhawks 80–83 Gboko City Chiefs

313 Warriors 62–61 Kano Pillars

Maktown Flyers, 313 Warriors survive Day Two thrillers at NPBL Final 8

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