Dolphins, First Bank Set for an Evening of Thrilling Final

ZENITH BANK WBL

Two of the country’s finest basketball teams, defending champions Dolphins and First Bank’s Elephant Girls, are set to dwell this evening in the final of the 2016 Zenith Bank Women Basketball League final at the Indoor sports hall of the National Stadium in Lagos.

But before the final game expected to draw the best of basketball aficionados, Nigerian Customs and the IGP Queens will battle in the losers’ final for the third place prize.

To get to today’s final, Dolphins defeated Delta Force 83-68 in their Group A opening game, saw off the challenge of IGP Queens with 74-66 win and out dunked Plateau Rocks 74-67 in their last Group A game before swallowing the Border Girls, Nigerian Customs 74-53 in the first semi-finals to move into the final.

Eight-time champions and Group B table-toppers, First Bank, humbled Benue Princess 101-46, defeated Nigerian Customs 92-42 and walloped AHIP of Kano 106-38 before overrunning the IGP Queens 105-22 in their semi-final clash to remain as the highest scoring side of this edition.

With both sides maintaining unbeaten runs to this stage of the tournament, nothing short of a thrilling evening appears to be in the offing more so when both teams appear to have the same character in terms of tactics, coaching ability and discipline on and off the court.

According to First Bank’s Captain, Chioma Udeaja, “We are here to re-claim our lost title and nothing can stop us from taking it back.”

However, it remains doubtful if Dolphins are going to give up their crown without a fight. Not with their basketball-loving Chairman, Wale Aboderin watching from the stand.

In the All-Star game played yesterday, Team ZECA defeated Team Aspire 85-84 in a thrilling appetizer to today’s grand finale. ZECA is one of the products of the sponsors, Zenith Bank, an account meant for children 13 years and below while the Aspire account is for young people.