Rivers Hoopers opened their 2026 Nigeria Premier Basketball League (NPBL) Final Four campaign in commanding fashion on Sunday, defeating Aso Sky Hawks 74-60 behind a game-high 28 points from Abel Offia.

The six-time Nigerian champions produced a strong response against the same Aso side that inflicted their only postseason defeat during the playoff phase, with the KingsMen maintaining their composure in a fiercely contested encounter.

Hoopers established early control and carried a 39-28 advantage into halftime, combining efficient long-range shooting with strong offensive execution to put the Sky Hawks under sustained pressure.

Nikolaos Okekuoyen was perfect from beyond the arc, converting both of his three-point attempts on his way to 11 points, while Peter Olisemeka provided an all-round contribution in the paint with eight points, 12 rebounds and five assists.

Aso Sky Hawks refused to fold after the interval, using increased defensive pressure to gradually reduce the deficit. They entered the final quarter trailing 55-49 before moving within two points at 57-55 early in the fourth.

The KingsMen, however, produced the decisive response when it mattered most, unleashing a 15-0 run that transformed a close contest into a comfortable 72-55 advantage.

Tunisian point guard Omar Abada sparked the decisive surge with a three-pointer, before Offia followed with back-to-back triples to effectively put the game beyond Aso’s reach.

Offia finished the contest 5-of-10 from three-point range and also contributed seven rebounds, while Johnson Anaiye added nine points from the bench.

Rivers Hoopers head coach Ogoh Odaudu praised his players for remaining disciplined and resilient through the difficult periods of the contest.

“Being that it was the first game, I knew it was going to be a bit of a struggle, but I like the way they [my players] dug deep,” Odaudu said.

“They stayed resilient, composed, and disciplined. They [Sky Hawks] were fouling a lot in the first half, so I told the team that it would take a toll on them in the fourth quarter and that’s exactly what happened."

Offia said the memory of their earlier playoff defeat to Aso Sky Hawks provided additional motivation for the Hoopers, but stressed that the team must quickly shift its attention to the remaining fixtures.

“We needed to lose that playoff game to win this one,” Offia said. “I was very angry about that first loss, so we came back and talked to ourselves. My teammates kept finding me with the pass, and that’s why I was able to score.”

“We got the win, but we have two more games to go and need to stay locked in,” the guard added.

Rivers Hoopers will return to action on Monday, September 21, against Gboko City Chiefs in a Day Two encounter, with both teams carrying 1-0 records into the meeting.

Gboko City Chiefs opened their campaign with a narrow 74-73 upset of defending champions Maktown Flyers in Sunday’s opening fixture.

Odaudu said Rivers Hoopers would not be relying on their previous record against the Chiefs, insisting that his players must approach the game with the same intensity displayed in their opening victory.

“We are not going to rely on our past record against them, it’s a brand new day,” Odaudu said. “We are going to come out with the same mentality and physicality, and hopefully take the day.”

Meanwhile, Aso Sky Hawks will face defending champions Maktown Flyers in Monday’s opening game, scheduled for 3pm.

The result leaves Rivers Hoopers with an early advantage in the Final Four race, but the KingsMen will need to maintain their intensity across the remaining games to secure their place at the top of the standings.