Basketball’s Fixtures Promise Thrills

Basketball fans will be thrilled with tough games this weekend as Royal Hoopers of Port Harcourt host debutants, Chariots Basketball Club of Lagos in a week four fixture of the DSTV/NBBF men’s basketball premier league on Sunday.

The match promises to be interesting because Chariots, who have so far lost three games, would be seeking to make an impact by beating the Hoopers.

The Port Harcourt side have played only two matches and won both.

Chariots, however, may be disadvantaged because they will honour a game with Delta Force in Asaba tomorrow before travelling to Port Harcourt.

Hoopers, Atlantic Conference champions last season and second in the final Eight, have promised not to falter in any game.

In the other fixtures, Islanders of Lagos, 2009 Atlantic Conference winners, will host 2010 final eight second runners-up, Union Bank of Lagos.

Other fixtures are Ebun Comets of Lagos will host Dodan Warriors of Lagos.

Commenting on the fixture, Coach Ayo Bakare of Ebun Comets said he was confident his team would carry the day.

He said they were determined to win a place in the final eight this season.

His Dodan Warriors counterpart, Adeka Daudu, also boasted of victory though he admitted that the best of his young team had yet to come.

Daudu said that the club lost its experienced players to other clubs after last season and was only building a new team with young players.

“We have nothing to worry about. I know we will continue to make impact and also be among the best four teams this season,” he said.

Coach Johnson Ayinla of Union Bank told Tidesports’ source that his team was determined not only to lead the Atlantic Conference but the national league this season.

“I am confident with the performance of my boys so far, we are going to lead the league table this year because the end result of hard work is success,” he said.

On Sunday’s match against Islanders, Ayinla said they were fully prepared to maintain their unbeaten run.

Coach Lateef Erinfolami of Islanders said that losing two games did not mean that all hope was lost for his team.

“We can always bounce back to do better.

“It is not yet over for us as we believe we can still do well and make up for our shortcomings.

“The league season is just beginning and we still have a long way to go,” he said.