Nigeria Customs crowned kings, as 2022 Mark D Ball Men’s championship ends

Nigeria Customs were crowned 2022 Mark D Ball Men’s Basketball Competition Champions on Sunday night, after defeating new Abuja franchise Mo Heat 61-55 in the final of the Elite 8 tournament, contested at the Indoor Sports Hall, located in Package B, of the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja. D’Tigers player, Ibe Agu who captained Customs […]

Nigeria Customs were crowned 2022 Mark D Ball Men’s Basketball Competition Champions on Sunday night, after defeating new Abuja franchise Mo Heat 61-55 in the final of the Elite 8 tournament, contested at the Indoor Sports Hall, located in Package B, of the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

D’Tigers player, Ibe Agu who captained Customs contributed 17 points, 2 fewer than his team mate Michael Daramola, whose 19 points were matched by Mo Heat’s top scorer, Bright Akhuetie, while Owen Michael could only manage 13 points, for the Mo Heat, who literarily lost their way in the last quarter.

Mo Heats were unbeaten, and favourites to take the title, having already beaten the Customs side, in the build of to the final.

The first quarter being a nervous one, ended 15-15, with both teams fighting hard in the second quarter and even at the end of the 3rd quarter, it was still a tight game at 47 baskets, apiece. 

Nigeria Customs started the last quarter with more zeal and purpose, pulled away and eventually were able to hold off a late challenge mounted by Mo Heats to win the final by 6 clear points.

The victory ensured that they emulated their ladies folks, who also won the women’s tournament, played towards the end of 2021.

Meanwhile, Senator Dino Melaye donated N300,000 for the winners and N200,000 for the beaten finalits of Mark D Ball, rated the championships as “top notch”, and the best basketball competition, in Sub Sahara Africa.