Idoga shines as Rivers Hoopers crush Hoops & Read in 2026 NPBL opener

Idoga shines as Rivers Hoopers crush Hoops & Read in 2026 NPBL opener

John Idoga scored a game-high 23 points to lead six-time champions Rivers Hoopers to a resounding 84-58 victory over Hoops & Read in the opening round of the 2026 Nigeria Premier Basketball League (NPBL) on Sunday.

The matchup at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ibadan, was the first competitive outing for the KingsMen since their narrow defeat to the Maktown Flyers in the 2025 NPBL finals.

Hoops & Read edged a tightly contested opening quarter 17-15, but Rivers Hoopers found their rhythm in the second period to take a 37-31 lead into halftime, powered by 16 first-half points from Idoga.

The KingsMen blew the game open in the third quarter, as Idoga and captain Victor Anthony Koko combined to score Hoopers' first 14 points of the second half, as they outscored their opponents 30-15 to build a 20-point advantage.

With the victory secure, interim head coach Ronald Alalibo rotated his lineup in the final period as Rivers Hoopers closed out a 26-point win.

Koko finished with 18 points and Abel Offia added 10 for the KingsMen, who had three players score in double figures.

However, speaking after the team captain emphasized that there is still work to be done. 

"Good win for the team, but we still have a lot of work to do," Koko said. "Most of the guys on the team are new players who need to get in tune with the playing philosophy."

Alalibo echoed his captain's perspective, acknowledging that building team chemistry will take some effort.

"We're still a work in progress," Alalibo stated. "We have a few additions to our team and in our preparations, we anticipated some challenges in team chemistry. We noticed some lapses during the game, and we tried to address them."

Alalibo who is usually an assistant, is currently calling the shots from the baseline in the absence of veteran tactician Ogoh Odaudu. He described the opportunity to lead the KingsMen as a special moment.

"It feels surreal to be in this position. As a coach, you expect that somewhere along the line you'll be tasked with leading a team, but it still feels special."

Rivers Hoopers next face Comets Basketball Club today, with Alalibo anticipating a tougher challenge. 

"We're expecting a tougher opposition but we'll try to take it one game at a time," Alalibo added. "Everybody wants to beat us and we're aware of that."