Mark Mentors Basketball Club, Abuja, on Saturday broke the jinx when it defeated Kano pillars 59 to 49 after losing three previous encounters in the Kwese Basketball Premiership League for men.
Mentors came out strong right from the first quarter which ended 15-8 in their favour and went ahead to extend the points 30-15 in the second quarter.
Pillars were further humiliated in the third quarter as ended 47 to 27 in favour of the home side but managed to salvage their pride in the fourth quarter by garnering 10 points ending the match 59-49.
Speaking with the News agency of Nigeria (NAN), after their victory Coach Chris Acha of Mentors said “our victory came as a result of good preparation and hard work.
“It was a very serious match for us and we faced it with all seriousness,” he said.
However, Coach Sani Ahmed of Pillars said “we started the game late as shown in the result of the first three quarters.
“Also, the referees did not help matters that could be seen in the kind of calls they make, fouls against my boys which was demoralizing.
“Mentors played very well which showed they were good but I have problem with the way the referees were overlooking their fouls.
“I had to talk to them to ignore that and focus on the game at the end of third round which led to the reduction in the goal margin,” he said.
