Abuja – Kano Pillars men’s basketball club on Tuesday in Abuja recorded their second win at the ongoing Savannah Conference Super Six of the 2016 DStv Men’s Premier Basketball League.
The former DStv Men’s Premier Basketball League champions defeated Bauchi Nets 85-38 in one of the three Match Day 2 Games at the Abuja National Stadium.
Kano Pillars who had on Monday defeated Plateau Peaks of Jos 93-56 moved to secure 22 points ahead of their Bauchi counterparts’ eight points in the first quarter.
Pillars advanced to secure 18 more points in the second quarter, while their foes earned 16 more points, to end the game’s first half 40-24.
By the end of the third quarter, Pillars were with 63 points, 33 more than their opponents as they went on to underline their superiority.
Pillars moved up to 85 points by the end of the fourth quarter, having secured 22 more, as against Bauchi Nets who could only earn eight points.
Sani Ahmed, coach of Kano Pillars, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) after the match that the motivation for the team has been “team spirit’’.
“I thank God for the victories so far. The players are doing well, and they have shown that they want to win.
“I will say that team spirit has been their source of strength and motivation,’’ he said.
The coach also noted that his opponents had improved on their game.
“We have played against Bauchi Nets about three times this season and we have always beaten them.
“The first time we won with about a 70-points margin, and the other with 40. So, I will say they have now improved,’’ he said.
Ahmed, however, noted that his team’s target was to get qualification to participate in the league’s Final Eight playoffs.
On his part, Abu Yuyu, the coach of Bauchi Nets, blamed his team’s loss on fatigue.
“The players had fatigue and it affected their performance.
“Pillars are a better side though, but they shouldn’t have beaten us with that wide margin. It was due to fatigue.
“Our subsequent matches will surely be good for us. We will re-strategise to ensure we do well.
NAN reports that Bauchi Nets had on Monday lost their match by default, after failing to appear against Mark Mentors. “It was due to late arrival,’’ Yuyu defended.
The Savannah Conference Super Six has league defending champions Mark Mentors of Abuja, Gombe Bulls, Niger Potters of Minna, Bauchi Nets, Kano Pillars and Plateau Peaks of Jos.
The playoffs began on Monday and will end on Friday.(NAN)
