Basketball: MFM, Aces, First Bank Reach Zenith League Semis

Defending champions MFM, Royal Aces, First Bank and Dolphins have all secured their places in the semi-finals of the 2025 Zenith Bank Final Eight playoffs, currently held at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Following the conclusion of the group phase on Thursday, Abuja-based franchise, Royal Aces, made up for a 52-44 defeat to First Bank on Wednesday by edging Bayelsa Blue Whales 40-37 in a nail-biting encounter. The result was enough to see the Aces cement second spot on Group B, which saw them move into the next round.

Assistant coach of the Royal Aces, Lewis Chukwuemeka, expressed his thoughts on his team’s chances to our correspondent, “Reaching the semi-finals and getting a decent pairing, winning it and getting into the finals basically is our aim. We didn’t come here to make up numbers. This is our second year in the league. Last year, which was our first, our inexperience made us come fourth. We hope to go all the way this time.”

MFM Basketball Club of Lagos showed their mettle on day three, as they outclassed Titans 57-32, with Abigail Isaac and Wandoo Hembam both dropping 20 and 19 points respectively. Coach Ochuko Owolabi’s team are poised to retain their top-flight division title.

Meanwhile, First Bank compounded the misery of Air Warriors 66-35 to seal top spot in Group B, with the duo of Marylyn Ogoigbe and Jessica Onaibe both scoring 16 and 13 points respectively.

Elsewhere, Dolphins Basketball Club put up the biggest scoreline on day three, as they thrashed Nigeria Customs of Abuja 81-45 to maintain their unbeaten status and top Group A. Customs, who are coached by Mohammed Abdulrahman, concluded their dismal campaign in the playoffs by losing all three group games.

The semi-finals of the playoffs will be played on Friday (today), with a place in Saturday’s final up for grabs.