Zenith Bank WBL: Plateau Rocks, Delta Queens, Others Win Big

Plateau Rocks proved too hot for neighbours, Nasarawa Babes from Lafia to handle yesterday on the Day Five of the ongoing phase two of the Zenith Bank Women’s Basketball League in Asaba. The Jos girls dismantled Nasarawa 55-39 to put their dream of a Final Eight ticket back on track.

All efforts by players of Nasarawa to measure up fell flat.
The day however did not belong to Plateau alone.

Oluyole Babes of Ibadan, who were beaten by host, Delta Queens on Wednesday, got back to the groove to snatch a 38-31 hard-fought victory from GT 2000.
The match was keenly contested by the ladies from Ibadan made sure of victory and continue their push for a place in the play offs in Lagos.

Another team from the South western part of the Atlantic Conference, Sunshine Angels also moved closer to a place in the Final Eight with a 52-23 defeat of Coal City Queens.
Meanwhile, top players like Chioma Udeaja, Nkeshi Akashili and Upe Atusu have continued to show why they have been around for long.

First Bank and Nigeria senior national team forward, Udeaja who had a brilliant season in 2014 where she won the most valuable player award can be referred to as the mother of all
players in the league with her exposure and years of experience in the game for both club and country.
Akashili, four-time most valuable player (MVP) has won the Zenith Bank league title with two teams- four titles with First Deepwater and one with First Bank Basketball Club.

Akashili has won various laurels with the Nigeria senior national team one bronze and a silver at the 2011 and 2015 All Africa Games in Mozambique and Congo and an Afrobasket bronze medal in 2015 stood out among the pack.

Upe began her career in the Zenith Bank League at the start of the 2009 season with First Deepwater where she spent four seasons before joining forces with First Bank basketball club. She blossomed under the tutelage of Coach AAderemi and Lateef Erinfolami.