Basketball: Kano Pillars, Kwara Falcons set for DStv Premier League Final 8

Regular season leaders, Kano Pillars and Kwara Falcons, cruised past all opponents as both teams topped the Savannah and Atlantic Conference in the just concluded Conference playoffs.

Pillars, who lost two regular season games, took down all opposition in the Savannah Conference Playoffs going 5 of 5 to seal their place in the DStv Premier Basketball League Final 8.

Joining them in the Final 8 is Plateau Peaks tutored by female coach Jacqueline Bushman; premier league returnees, Niger Potters, who took games against favorites Gombe Bulls finishing ahead of them and defending champions Mark Mentors, ending their quest for qualification to the Final 8 suffering a third crushing defeat having already lost to Pillars and Bulls as well.

It was also dramatic in the Atlantic Conference as Kwara Falcons took top spot in the five team playoffs after scoring a record 105-68 points win over Delta Force and a comfortable win over fast rising Customs and Oluyole Warriors to finish top in the conference.

Former two-time champions, Rivers Hoopers, went straight from Division 1 to the Final 8 as they finished runners up behind Falcons ahead of Customs and surprised Oluyole Warriors who finished fifth in the regular season behind Delta Force with just two wins.

Speaking on the line-up of the Final 8, General Manager, Marketing, MultiChoice Nigeria, Martin Mabutho, said the competition has reached its fever pitch with fans anticipating an exciting game.
He also reiterated DStv’s commitment to the growth of the game in the country through sponsorship and quality coverage of the games.

The stage is now set as the top four teams from both conferences are ready to battle it out for the national title from the 20th to 25th of June.

Unfortunately, Mark Mentors will miss out in the playoffs; this is the first time a defending champion will fail to at least make the Final 8

As stated by the sponsors, SuperSport will beam all the matches live to subscribers.