Loss of Concentration Nearly Cost Us Our Match Against Team Ondo - Warriors Coach

 

Reports say that the Warriors struggled to win 66-59 in the opening fixture of the 2012 NBBF National Division One Basketball League.

Speaking at the end of the game at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Abuja National Stadium, the coach admitted that his team almost lost the game.

``We were ahead in the game for most moments, but our opponents rallied back late in the game and we could have lost our lead and the game if we had not quickly fought back,’’ he said.

According to reports when the game ended 11-11 after the first quarter, the Oluyole Warriors raced to a 32-19 lead in the second quarter to comfortably stay in the lead going into the break.

The Akure-based Team Ondo fought back during the third quarter, which ended 48-42, and they were on the verge of leveling up at 62-59 in the fourth quarter’s final minute.

``We lost concentration in the third quarter, and this took a toll on us in the final quarter. But late in the game, we had to change tactics to survive,’’ Aderinboye said.

He said he was hopeful that his team would do better in subsequent games, especially against the Nigerian Navy team of Lagos on Tuesday, to qualify for the Premier League.

``We still have three games to go in our Atlantic Conference group, but tomorrow’s game is crucial for our confidence, and I am hopeful we can qualify from here,’’ the coach said.

The match was one of the four on the opening day of the league, which could not start on Monday as a result of late arrival and poor turnout of the expected teams.

With only six of the expected 13 teams on hand, the league will now see the teams playing each other twice for a place in Friday’s final.

Following Monday’s technical meeting, Team Ondo, Oluyole Warriors and Nigerian Navy were placed in the group to fight for a place in the Atlantic Conference.

Zuma Rocks of Abuja, Benue Braves of Makurdi and Plateau Peaks of Jos are also slugging it out for a place in the Savannah Conference.

The winners from the two groups after the round-robin games on Thursday will qualify for the two conferences in the 2012/2013 NBBF/DSTV Premier Basketball League.

They will also proceed to Friday’s game to determine the National Division One champions.