Record champions First Bank Basketball Club began their campaign at the finals of the Zenith Bank/NBBF Women’s Basketball League with a hard-fought win over Bayelsa Blue Whales at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, on Tuesday, September 16.

The Blue Whales started strongly, matching their illustrious opponents in the opening minutes before the “Bankers” edged the first quarter 11–10. First Bank widened their advantage in the second quarter, taking a 24–20 lead into halftime. From then on, it was one-way traffic as the Lagos-based side dominated the third and fourth quarters 17–7 and 12–9, sealing a comfortable 53–36 victory.

In the day’s opening game, Royal Aces edged Air Warriors in a dramatic finish. Despite trailing by seven points late in the contest, the Warriors rallied to tie the game 52–52 in the final minute. With the crowd anticipating overtime, Royal Aces snatched the decisive basket to clinch a 54–52 win.

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Meanwhile, tournament sponsors Zenith Bank Plc announced a total prize pool of N15.5 million for the eight participating teams. The champions will earn N7.5 million, runners-up N5 million, and third place N3 million. Conference winners will each receive N1 million, while individual honours, including the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, carry a N500,000 prize.

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League results

Athletic Club 0-2 Arsenal
PSV 1-3 Union St Gilloise
Benica 2-3 Qarabag FK
Juventus 4-4 B’ Dortmund
R’Madrid 2-1 Marseille
Tottenham 1-0 Villarreal