Rivers Hoopers captain Victor Anthony Koko has revealed that his team is mentally ready for the challenge of retaining their Nigeria Premier Basketball League (NPBL) title when the 2025 season enters its concluding phase during the Final Four.
With less than a week to the start of the season finale, the KingsMen have ramped up preparations by engaging in rigorous training sessions and a friendly game against Sauft Basketeers, which ended 82-60 in favour of the Hoopers, to cap what, according to the skipper, has been a good week of practice.
“I’ll say it’s [been] an awesome week, because everybody on the team has been practising together, unlike before the Final Eight, when most of the guys weren’t [match] fit but just came in [to the team] and started playing, which really affected us. But the team now is far different from that which played during the Final Eight, because everybody is [game] ready and waiting for jumpball. I say this because I’ve seen the fire in my team,” he said.
The KingsMen, who won back-to-back NPBL titles (in 2023 and 2024) unbeaten, lost their invincibility when they fell 79-80 to Lagos Legends after overtime on 31st October (Day Five of the Final Eight), for their first league defeat since November 2022.
Reflecting on his team’s performance during the Final Eight, Koko believed that the defending champions did not play to the best of their ability.
“No. We didn’t perform at our best during the Final Eight. You could tell that there was a big difference between our championship-winning team from 2024 and our team during the Final Eight. Everyone was ready because everyone knew what was at stake [in 2024]. The Final Eight was more like a qualifier for us to reach the Final Four, so I think most players were quite relaxed about it. But what really matters to us now is the Final Four,” he insisted.
Following the conclusion of the Final Eight on 2nd November, the KingsMen have had time to fine-tune preparations ahead of their title defense at the Final Four, with the skipper stating that he and his teammates are fully prepared to retain the championship.
“This time around everyone is ready; everyone is mentally ready. We understand what is at stake, so we need to go all out. And right now, with the level of energy I’ve seen from my team during practice, I don’t think we’re going to be a team that just wants to have fun [on the court]. We’re a championship [winning] team, and we want to retain that championship.” he stressed.
With only a few days until the start of the 2025 NPBL Final Four, the seven-time league champion, Koko, says he has just one thing on his mind: winning another championship with Rivers Hoopers.
“I want us to win it [2025 NPBL title]. It’s on my mind, day and night: Hoopers Champions. And I’m assuring our fans that we’re not going to let them down. It’s happening here in Port Harcourt, and we’re going to make them proud.”
The 2025 NPBL Final Four is scheduled to hold between 21st-23rd November, as Rivers Hoopers look to defend their title against Lagos Legends, Gboko City Chiefs, and Nigeria Customs.
Just like during the Final Eight, games at the Final Four will be executed in a round robin format, with each team playing against all three other contestants, and the team accruing the best points tally crowned champions of the 2025 NPBL.
The KingsMen will begin their Final Four outing with a crunch game against Gboko City Chiefs on Friday, 21st November, 2025.
All games will be played at the Basketball Stadium, #59 Niger Street, Port Harcourt Township.
