First Bank Wins Zenith Bank Basketball League

First Bank Basketball Club
of Lagos defeated city rivals Dolphins Basketball Club 65-51 to win the Final Eight Play-Offs for the 2013/2014 Zenith Bank National Women Basketball League.
The final eight play-offs began in June 12 in Lagos with eight teams competing for honours.
The play-offs also had on offer continental club competition tickets for the winners and the second-placed team.
An elated First Bank coach, Aderemi Adewunmi, told newsmen that his team had performed credibly well in the competition and were worthy champions.
“We worked very hard for this championship, having lost out in the last five years. So, we are happy because it is indeed a testament of our hard work.
“We played with great caution and discipline knowing fully well the capabilities of our opponents,’’ Adewunmi said.
Oluchi Nzekwe, First Bank’s captain, said her team was focused in their game plan and were with great determination not to lose this time around.
Head coach of Dolphins, Ockukwo Ogwunowo, described the loss as painful, having also lost in the final of the 2012/2013 edition.
“We thought this year was our year, but unfortunately it did not work out. We played well, but could not lift our game to emerge the champions of the day.
“We will go back to the drawing board and try to correct our mistakes and, hopefully come back fully strong in the next campaign,’’ Ogwunowo said.
First Bank received the winners trophy, medals and N1 million for their efforts, while Dolphins received N750,000 and silver medals from the competition’s sponsors, Zenith Bank.
In the third-place match, former champions First Deepwater of Lagos beat FCT Angels of Abuja 94-45 to win medals and N500,000 from the sponsors.
Dignitaries who graced the competition’s closing ceremony included Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro, the Minister of State for Defence, who represented President Goodluck Jonathan.
While speaking at the occasion, he said Jonathan remained committed to the development of sports initiatives in Nigeria.
“The President sees this as a tool of uniting and improving the well-being of youths in the country,’’ he said.