Kano Pillars, HardRockers Bow Out of Mark D Ball Elite 8

Kano Pillars, HardRockers Bow Out of Mark D Ball Elite 8

By Niyi Busari

Kano Pillars and HardRockers Basketball teams are no longer among the contenders for the Mark D Ball Elite 8 finals.

Day 3 of the Elite 8 finals of the 2022 Mark D Ball men's Basketball Championships, holding in Abuja; produced a mixed-bag of results, with some top teams like Kano Pillars and HotCoal Ballers suffering shock defeats, while middle order sides like Kwara Falcons of Ilorin, rebounded from opening day loses, to record eye-catching victories on Thursday.

Following their 57-63 loss to HotCoall Ballers on Wednesday, a response was expected from Kano Pillars when they took to the court to face a very promising Gombe Bulls, in the last game of Day 2.

The action packed encounter, which was characterised by some end to end stuff, did not disappoint, and fans were virtually at the edge of their seats in the last quarter.

Gombe Bulls who led 37-34 at the interval, eventually won the epic battle of two former Nigeria Premier League Champions, 80-75.

While victory ensured that the Bulls won their second game in a row, Pillars led by Coach Sani Ahmedu knows they are virtually eliminated from the contest, after two straight defeats, to opponents considered by many pundits as lesser teams.

Interestingly, the Sai Masu Gida will have the company of two other teams, who have also lost twice in two days, when approaching the exit door.  

The trams are FCTHardRockers who though put up an improved performance today, ended up losing 68-81 to a well oiled Nigeria Customs team, who simply underlined their title credentials by building on their opening victory over Delta Stars.

A harpless Delta Stars of Asaba had earlier on Thursday been trounced 66-46 by Mo Heat of Abuja, who are now one of the favourites to make it to the final 4, and possibly win the title.

The surprise result of the day, was produced in Game 2, when Kwara Falcons braved the odds to edge HotCoall Ballers of Abuja 56-54.

Having lost their opener, it was a win or burst game for the Ilorin Falcons, and they had to dig deep to earn the result they needed to keep alive their hopes of advancing to the final 4.

HotCoal Ballers peharphs were still celebrating their historic win over Kano Pillars on Wednesday, and Kwara Falcons ceased the initiative, as the lead changed hands severaly going to the very last minute, and before the final buzzer, went off.