01 January 2013
NIGERIA : Aspac, BIOE to Dunk It Out in the Final
ASPAC basketball club of cotonou will flex muscles with 'Blame It On Experience' (BIOE) at the males final of the ongoing 'Mark D Ball' basketball championship in Otukpo, Benue State.
Last year champions, BIOE, had a hard time edging last year finalists, ESPN of Otukpo 98: 88 to make the final.
ESPN led 27:20 at the end of the first quarter but could not maintain the lead through the remaining three quarters as BIOE overpowered them in all areas.
The initiator of the championship and a key player of BIOE, Igoche Mark said it was not easy playing ESPN as they were a good side.
"They are good, i must admit that. If the opponents are good, give it to them.
Igoche expressed confidence that his team would go on to win this year's edition of the championship once again, following the quality of their play.
Also, Nigeria's Olympic basketball star, Ejike Ugboaja who also plays for the BIOE team said he was happy at the quality of play.
The American based star who is the youngest player in the team made up of veterans, said they would lift the trophy if they played the way they did in the semi-final.
In the earlier semi-final encounter, ASMAC was too much for APA flames to handle as the cotounou side took charge from the beginning to the end.
Notwithstanding the Apa Flames having the supports of home crowd, the foreigners showed flair and discipline all through the energy sapping encounter which they won 55:49.
Speaking to Trustsports after the game, the Head Coach of ASMAC, Peter Amedu said he was overwhelmed by his team's performance being the first time to participate in the championship.
"We came in with a zeal and with a motive that all we are gonna do today is to play defence and in basketball, when you play a good defence, the offence will come."
He expressed optimism that his team would lift the trophy no matter who the they come against in the final.
Last year champions, BIOE, had a hard time edging last year finalists, ESPN of Otukpo 98: 88 to make the final.
ESPN led 27:20 at the end of the first quarter but could not maintain the lead through the remaining three quarters as BIOE overpowered them in all areas.
The initiator of the championship and a key player of BIOE, Igoche Mark said it was not easy playing ESPN as they were a good side.
"They are good, i must admit that. If the opponents are good, give it to them.
Igoche expressed confidence that his team would go on to win this year's edition of the championship once again, following the quality of their play.
Also, Nigeria's Olympic basketball star, Ejike Ugboaja who also plays for the BIOE team said he was happy at the quality of play.
The American based star who is the youngest player in the team made up of veterans, said they would lift the trophy if they played the way they did in the semi-final.
In the earlier semi-final encounter, ASMAC was too much for APA flames to handle as the cotounou side took charge from the beginning to the end.
Notwithstanding the Apa Flames having the supports of home crowd, the foreigners showed flair and discipline all through the energy sapping encounter which they won 55:49.
Speaking to Trustsports after the game, the Head Coach of ASMAC, Peter Amedu said he was overwhelmed by his team's performance being the first time to participate in the championship.
"We came in with a zeal and with a motive that all we are gonna do today is to play defence and in basketball, when you play a good defence, the offence will come."
He expressed optimism that his team would lift the trophy no matter who the they come against in the final.
# posted by afrbk : 11:02
