By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye in Ibadan
Hosts, Oyo State on Monday extended their unbeaten run at the ongoing South West Basketball League, with a slim victory over Ekiti State.
The cagers from the Pace Setter State were faced with strong opposition from Ekiti State, to win 68-64. Ekiti State failed to keep their unbeaten streak untainted.
In the second game of Match Day 3, Lagos State, topped the League table with an outstanding performance against Ogun State, who attributed their loss to a poor defence.
The guys from Lagos cruised past, Ogun State, 99-43, further extending their seamless run in the ancient city of Ibadan.
The Gateway state finished the first quarter, 25-21 but failed to hold steam as they fell woefully in the following three quarters, 15-7, 36-9, 22-6.
Head coach of the Ogun State basketball team, Coach Dípò Fagbemi in an interview with the FIRST ZEALMEDIACAST BLOG, stated that he will take a big lesson, from the game and learn from their mistakes against Lagos State.
“We lost to Lagos State today because we didn’t play enough defense, but we are going to put in our all so as to improve on it in our next game,” he said.
He went on to add that the State is yet to get any backing from the government.
“Ogun State didn’t give us any money or funding for the purpose of this competition. Instead, it is the coaches that contributed in bringing the players to this competition so they can participate and be very current with all the events in basketball,” he explained.
The Coach also emphasized on the zeal and passion for the slamming and dunking game which runs through the veins of Mr. Olumide Oyedeji, the sponsor of the League.
Well, Oyedeji has been doing very, very well for basketball, his what I’ll
describe as Motombo, late Motombo of Nigeria, because he’s the only one who’s been taking the position of supporting the grassroots development of basketball in Nigeria,” he expressed.
He praised the former captain of Nigeria’s D’Tigers, encouraging him to continue to support and grow the game.
Ogun, will on Match Day 4, file out against Osun who are yet to taste the joy of victory, while Ondo State will battle Ekiti State at the basketball courts of Liberty Stadium, Ibadan.
It’s the clash of giants as Oyo State will face, League leaders and legends Lagos by 12pm, in the second game of the day.
The basketball League which ends on the 18th of this month is proudly sponsored by Olumide Oyedeji Youth Foundation.
MATCH DAY 3 RESULTS:
Oyo 68
Ekiti 64
Lagos 99
Ogun 43