Lagos Legends Basketball Club has stopped Rivers Hoopers from securing a third straight Nigeria Basketball Premier League crown, sealing a dramatic 74–72 victory in the 2025 Final 4 decider in Port Harcourt on Sunday.
Both sides entered the clash with perfect records in their first two games, each needing a win to secure the coveted ticket to the 2026 Basketball Africa League.
The Legends, who had previously ended Hoopers’ three-year unbeaten run with an 80–79 win in last month’s Final Eight, started strongly and forced the defending champions to chase the game early on. Despite this, Rivers Hoopers narrowly claimed the first quarter 20–19, before Lagos Legends fought back to ensure a 32–32 tie at halftime.
Hoopers held a slim 52–49 advantage heading into the final quarter, but the Legends mounted a spirited comeback, levelling the game at 61–61 and later edging ahead by a point. With 39 seconds left, the Hoopers forced a 70–70 draw, setting up a tense finish.
In the end, Lagos Legends held their nerve to secure the win and book their place in next year’s BAL, displacing Rivers Hoopers, who had represented Nigeria in the past two editions.
