The Festac Basketball Foundation (FBF) was defeated 70-58 by the AJ Nava Seals in an exhibition match played on Wednesday at the newly renovated court on 23rd Road in Festac Town.
Notably, both teams were evenly matched in the first half of the game. However, FBF fell to the visitors in the third quarter and struggled to get back into the game.
Nelson Uwaoma (Mutombo), team captain, spoke for his team when he said, “We had a great game today. It was a friendly competition with the Ajegunle (AJ) Naval Seals. They came from AJ, and we had a good game.
“Although we lost, the truth is that the better team won, and my boys fought hard against a team that plays in division 1, against a team that is organized and trains around the clock. Some of my boys are workers and don’t play basketball full time; they have their 9-5 and various skilled jobs that they do, so we come here Wednesdays and Fridays and with the little we do, we try to form a team.
“I was able to form this team that had this match, and it was a good game. Although the game didn’t go our way, it was kind of one-sided right from the third quarter.
“I appreciate my team and they impressed me because we’ve heard so much about these guys that they are strong, young, and fit for the game. In my team, we have some married men, but they came out and did their thing.”
Mutombo stated that a return leg would be played later in the month as he blamed the loss on the absence of young players.
Aigboahaode Hilary, team captain of the AJ Naval Seals, described the exhibition game as a necessity for the development of young basketball players in the community.
“We came from Ajegunle to come to play the Festac Town boys and emerged the winners.” It was a great game and a welcome development in the community. We have to play friendly games like this to groom the younger ones that are coming behind us. We look forward to playing more games here,” Hilary said.
Ginika Chukwu Godspower, combo guard for the AJ Naval Seals, said, “The Festac team are good opponents, and the referees did a very good job at officiating, so it was an injury-free game and a good friendly game.”
Kolapo Daniel, an FBF player who claimed he plays basketball for leisure, said, “It was a good game, but we didn’t play well, but I know that we are going to beat them in the next game. I also think, with more sponsors and innovators, we can find good talents from Festac.”
