Basketball: Kano Pillars beat Kada Stars as Savannah Conference six begins

Kano Pillars, the defending champions of the Kwese Basketball Premier League on Tuesday in Kaduna thrashed Kada Stars 89-56 as the Savannah Conference 6 Playoffs began.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the ongoing Conference playoffs is holding at the Indoor Hall of Murtala Square Stadium, Kaduna.
The competition forms part of the last lap in the Kwese Basketball League and will run from August 13 to August 20.
Speaking after the match, the League’s Director, Ajibarede Bello, expressed satisfaction with the players’ performance.
He said that it was competitive as players were showcased the best of their talents.
He commended the players for playing according to the rules and regulations and wished them injuries-free competition.
According to him, Bauchi Nets and Kada Stars of Kaduna replaced Mark Mentors and Defenders of Abuja in the ongoing playoffs, adding that the decision was in line with the rules governing the league.
He said that replacement of both teams from Abuja became necessary due to their failure to honour their invitation to the Conference 6 after qualification from the regular season.
Bello said: “The rules are very clear. Both clubs were invited and letters were duly sent to them. They are aware and fully informed as well as mobilised according to the rules but they failed to show up.
“In order not to leave a vacuum since four of the six clubs invited were on ground and the competition must go on, we decided to apply the rules and upgraded the two teams in the Savannah Conference to replace them.
“Also, we must realise that the games are broadcast live and for live games, we cannot begin to have walkovers when the games have started.’’
Meanwhile, Bauchi Nets coach, Abu Yuyu, said that gaining promotion to play in the Conference 6 was an honour that the team will not take lightly.
Ayu said: “It’s an opportunity we won’t take lightly because this could be a big opening for the players. My biggest task is to psyche them up not to take this opportunity with kid’s gloves.”
With Mark Mentors and Defenders dropped, the six teams playing the playoffs are Kano Pillars, Niger Potters, Plateau Peaks, Gombe Bulls, Bauchi Nets and Kada Stars.
At the end of the competition in the Savannah and Atlantic Conferences, two teams will each drop from the conferences for the Final 8 grand finale in Kano.
In the other match played, Plateau Peaks beat Bauchi Nets 62-47.