By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye in Ibadan
Lagos State basketball team, Friday at the Ancient city of Ibadan, Oyo State were crowned champions of the South West Basketball League.
It was a keenly contested final but Lagos earned their coronation following a narrow 57-55 points win over the hosts, Oyo State at the Sports Hall of Liberty Stadium.
Lagos State fell in the first quarter as the Pacesetter State wasted no time in fighting for the coveted trophy winning 14-18.
Oyo State could not hold much ground against the City of Excellency in the following 10 minutes as Lagos State hammered in 26 points with Oyo salvaging only 10, to bring the scores at half time to 40-28.
Lagos State continued in it’s stride to keep their unbeaten run in the League untainted and undented, as came of from a low start in the opening minutes of the third quarter to score 17 points to solidify their lead, 57-46.
They dropped their guard down in the final ten as the Hosts fired from all cylinders in the catch up game as Oyo cut the margin to just two points.
Despite having the home crowd on their side it was, too little, too late, for a turnaround as the Lagosians held on tight to win the final in style.
Former D’Tigers captain, NBA star and FIBA Ambassador, Mr. Olumide Oyedeji, CEO Olumide Oyedeji Youth Foundation, the driving force behind the showdown presented the trophy to Lagos State.
Oyo State settled for second place in Ibadan, while Ekiti State defeated Ondo State, 56-71 to finish third.