2026 NPBL Season: Rivers Hoppers dominate Comets 80-50 for 2nd win 

2026 NPBL Season: Rivers Hoppers dominate Comets 80-50 for 2nd win 

Rivers Hoopers rode a wave of stout defending to dominate Comets Basketball Club 80-50 in their second game of the ongoing 2026 Nigeria Premier Basketball League (NPBL) on Monday, recording back-to-back victories in Ibadan. 

After an eventful first half which ended with a 10-point lead (43-33) for Rivers Hoopers, the KingsMen stepped up the intensity with relentless pressing and solid perimeter defending in the second half, as they restricted Comets to just 17 points and closed out a resounding 30-point blowout. 

Hoopers put relentless pressure on the ball, scoring 32 points from the 27 turnovers they forced Comets into conceding, with 12 fast break points. 

The KingsMen were also efficient from the charity line with 76.5% of free throws made (13/17), much to the delight of interim Head Coach Ronald Alalibo. 

"Like I said after our previous game, we are taking it one step at a time. We saw the errors we made in the previous game, so we took our time to make corrections and applied them in today's game." 

Alalibo also utilized his squad depth during the encounter. Every KingsMan on the matchday roster was given at least 16 minutes of game time, as the bench produced 46.25% of the total points (37) in what was a comprehensive team performance. However, the former player turned coach was more impressed with his team's defensive output. 

"Defense they say wins you championships. And if you're not scoring, you should be able to stop your opponents from scoring. Yesterday we had some defensive lapses, we made some adjustments, and everybody came out to play [today]." he pointed out. 

Duro-Ladipo Olatoye was one KingsMan who started from the bench but played a vital role as he grabbed 8 points with a 100% efficiency from within the arc. He praised the team's ability to build on the momentum from their previous game. 

"We did a very good job of building momentum from yesterday, and that was the plan coming into the game [today]. So, a good win for us." 

"We always emphasize on defense knowing that every team can score," said Olatoye, who played for Comets during the 2018/19 calendar year, "but we just have to make sure we limit them to one offensive possession." 

"Seeing that they [Comets] are a team I previously played on, I already knew their system and go-to plays, and [I'm glad] I was able to execute today," he added. 

Abel Offia and Chinedu Nwaogu led all scorers with 16 points each, while team captain Victor Koko added 10 points and 6 rebounds. 

Despite enjoying commanding victories in their opening fixtures, Alalibo is not losing sight of the next hurdle. 

"Our plan is to maintain or increase intensity on defense and also be aware that they [Raptors] have some good players on their team, and that if we give them the opportunity to express themselves, they might be a thorn in our skin. So we'll try as much as possible to limit them in order to give ourselves the best advantage," he insisted. 

Rivers Hoopers will face Raptors Basketball Club on Gameday 3 of the Atlantic Conference group phase, on Tuesday, May 19.