MFM beat Customs, claim Zenith Bank basket ball title

MFM of Lagos have emerged champions of the Zenith Bank Women’s Basketball League after beating Nigerian Customs 64-60 on the final day of the Super Four at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

It was a battle between the two teams that won the Savannah and Atlantic Conference of the Zenith Bank Women’s Basketball League but the Shade Olukoya Queens emerged winners in a thrilling encounter on Thursday.

En route to the final, Nigerian Customs defeated all their opponents during the First and Second Phase of the Savannah Conference while MFM turned things around during the Second Phase to emerge winners and a spot in the Final Four.

On Wednesday, Customs lost their game against Air Warriors as the defending champions avenged their defeat during the Savannah Conference with a 42-41 points scoreline.
MFM on the other hand had to show their experience as they had to come from behind to defeat Bayelsa Whales 59-54 points and a step closer to their first title.

Before the final game on Thursday, MFM occupied the top spot with four points and were closely followed by previous champions Air Warriors, who had three points.
Nigeria Customs were third on the log, the same points as Air Warriors while debutants, Bayelsa Blue Whales were fourth with two points.

Knowing that a win over the defending champions would hand them their first title after losing the last edition, the Olukoya Queens did what was expected of them.

The game ended 58-58 after the four quarters before MFM claimed the victory in the overtime to win the league title for the first time.

Air Warriors finished in second place after beating Bayelsa Blue Whales 60-42 in the other game while Nigeria Customers claim the third position.

Already, MFM’s Regina Donanu was voted as the Most Valuable Player of the season and the player with the highest three-pointer. Bayelsa’s Iwuji Vivian won the award for the highest rebounder.

The president of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, Musa Kida, who witnessed the games appreciated the sponsors, Zenith Bank Plc, for standing with the women’s league in the last 16 years while also saying the league has come of age with new teams like MFM and Bayelsa Whales fighting toe-to-toe with the established
teams.