Benin-based basketball team Aspac clinched the Louis Edem Championship title with a thrilling 80-77 overtime victory against Rivers Hoopers in the final at the National Stadium in Lagos on Saturday.
Rivers Hoopers entered the tournament as strong contenders, having dominated the league season to become Nigerian champions. They continued their impressive form, securing wins over Hoops & Read, Comets, Police Batons, Energie, and Spintex Knights to reach the final.
Aspac, however, proved to be an unstoppable force, maintaining an unbeaten record throughout the competition. They secured victories against Spintex Knights, Raptors, Elan Coton, and Lagos Legends before cruising past Police Batons in the semifinals.
The final began with Rivers Hoopers asserting early dominance, establishing a commanding 13-point lead at halftime with a score of 43-30, appearing poised for another title.
But Aspac mounted a remarkable comeback after the break, gradually erasing the deficit and eventually leveling the game. In a nail-biting finish, they triumphed 80-77 in overtime to secure the championship in dramatic fashion.
Meanwhile, in the third-place matches, Energie Cotonou defeated Elan Coton in the women’s category, while Spintex Knights edged out Police Batons in the men’s division.
The women’s final, which preceded the men’s showdown, saw Calabar Angels claim the title with a hard-fought 56-46 victory over Dolphin Angels, displaying their skill and determination.
With the Louis Edem Championship behind them, Rivers Hoopers will now turn their attention to the upcoming Basketball Africa League (BAL) Season 5, set to begin in April. As Nigeria’s representatives, they will compete in the prestigious tournament across four cities: Rabat (Morocco), Dakar (Senegal), Kigali (Rwanda), and Pretoria (South Africa).
