Union Bank upbeat, as DSTV Basketball Championship Final Eight begins

Top contenders to the DSTV Men’s Basketball Premier League title, Union Bank Basketball team of Lagos, have said their ambition is to win the Final Eight Championship and grab the ticket to represent Nigeria in the continent.

The team finished second in the Atlantic Conference behind the Lagos Islanders, but the team said they are fully set for the final competition, which dunks off at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, today.

According to the General Manager of the team, Tunde Popoola, who is also the Secretary General of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), the absence of head coach, Ayinla Johnson, who is on national assignment, will not stop his Union Bank’s ambition.

He revealed that the players have been motivated well enough to do the bank proud, adding that the coaches have done enough to put the team in top shape for the competition.

Also optimistic of Union Bank’s success, the team’s assistant coach, Billy Savage, who is leading the side in Johnson’s absence.

Although he acknowledged that the competition would be tough, Savage said the most important thing was for Union Bank to pick the continental ticket.
“This is an opportunity that comes once in a year and we cannot afford to lose it.” He added.

To actualize their dream of going continental, he said Union Bank was ready to face Kano Pillars, Kada Stars, Mark Mentors and Gombe Bulls from the Savannah Conference, as well as Lagos Islanders, Dodan Warriors and Nigeria Customs from the Atlantic Conference.

The two top teams will represent Nigeria at the FIBA African Club Championship.