Kano Pillars Retain DSTV NBBF Premier League Title

Late three points throw of Abubakar Usman of Kano Pillars basketball club paved the way for the club to retain the DSTV NBBF Premier League final eight play off which was concluded over the weekend at the spirtshall of the National Stadium, Surulere.

The defending champion, Kano Pillars basketball club defeated Mark Mentors basketball club of Abuja by a slim margin of 89 -88 points in a game that ended in a controversial manner.

Abubakar Usman, the tournament's Most Valuable Player, changed the tide of the competition when he threw a three points in less than four seconds to wrap up the game which scoreline was 88- 86 points in favor of Mark Mentors basketball club that by all standards deserve to win the league following their scintillating performance that earned then victory in the first-three quarters, 25-19, 44- 41, 62- 61.

Head Coac, Mark Mentors basketball club,Peter Ahmedu, who was vividly annoyed over the referee's attitude,said he would accept defeat if the Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF, could make available recorded video of the game, claiming that the referee was biased in his decision to end the match.

While acknowledging that Kano Pillars basketball club are bunch of talented players whose experience in the game of basketball gave them an edge, Ahmedu, said the referee who made the last call was backing the clock, claiming that some of the referee do assist clubs in the premier league to win league matches.

On the continental championship, Ahmedu, assured that mistake committed during the regular and the play- off would be corrected before the FIBA African Clubs Championship begins.

Both teams,Kano Pillars basketball club and Mark Mentors basketball club from the Savannah Conference will represent Nigeria at the FIBA African Clubs Championship.

Dodan Warriors basketball club defeated Gombe Bulls basketball club by 81- 71 points to claim the third place award.