Semifinals Tip Off in CDS Southwest Unity Basketball Championship

By Arinzechi Chukwunonso

The race for glory at the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Southwest Unity Basketball Championship has narrowed to four, as the competition enters its semifinal stage this Saturday at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

The day’s action will see Hoops & Reads lock horns with Delta Force in the opening fixture at 12:00 noon, before Police Baton squares off with Oluyole Warriors in what promises to be a fiercely contested second semifinal at 2:00 p.m.

Hoops & Reads stamped their authority in the last eight with a commanding 73–54 win over Edo Beads. The Lagos-based side blew the game open in the second quarter with a blistering 27–4 run that left their opponents chasing shadows. They maintained control throughout, closing out the game with quarter scores of 15–10, 27–4, 18–17, and 13–23.

Delta Force were equally impressive, sealing their semifinal ticket with a 56–40 triumph over Ogun Rockets. Displaying consistency across all four quarters, they kept their opponents at bay from start to finish, with scores of 15–8, 14–9, 13–12, and 14–11.

In perhaps the tightest encounter of the round, Police Baton edged out the University of Ibadan 53–50 in a nail-biter. After trailing in the first quarter (12–20), the law enforcement side roared back with strong second- and third-quarter performances (16–10, 17–7) and held their nerve in the final minutes despite a late charge from the students (8–13).

Oluyole Warriors also proved their strength, overpowering Ekiti Fountains 71–51. After a close first half, the Ibadan-based side pulled away in the third quarter with a devastating 24–6 run, putting the game beyond reach. Their quarter breakdown read 14–11, 19–22, 24–6, and 14–12.

 

Quarterfinal Results

Hoops & Reads 73–54 Edo Beads

Ogun Rockets 40–56 Delta Force

Police Baton 53–50 University of Ibadan

Oluyole Warriors 71–51 Ekiti Fountains

Semifinal Fixtures – Saturday, Surulere

12:00 noon: Hoops & Reads vs Delta Force

2:00 p.m.: Police Baton vs Oluyole Warriors

With a place in Sunday’s grand finale at stake, fans can expect intensity, grit, and thrilling basketball as the CDS Southwest Unity Championship edges closer to crowning its 2025 champion.