At the end it was not even close and the nail bitter we all expected failed to occur.
Hoopers defeated their bitter rivals, Kano Pillars 65-52 in the final of the 2011/2012 Dstv Basketball Premier League Final 8 play-offs on Saturday at the Indoor Sports Hall, National Stadium, Lagos.
The Port Harcourt-based side claimed victories in all the quarters against the Pyramid City side.
As we know Pillars had beaten Hoopers 54-53 in one of the most fiercely contested games of the preliminary round when a proper basket was denied at the very end. This seemed to have awoken the Garden City team that came out on fire and never looked back.
Both sides will hoist the nation's flag at the continent next year.
An elated Hoopers' small forward, Faruk Oyelade announced that he knew they will be champions after they knocked out tournament favourites, Dodan Warriors in the semifinals.
"Of course, I saw it coming, I believe in my teammates that we'll be champions.
"This is my happiest moment, I'm happy we came back to beat them in the final and it makes it the sweetest," he said.
Meanwhile a muted but proud Pillars' caretaker coach, Ibrahim Maku said he is fulfilled picking a continental ticket.
"I feel good picking the continental ticket though my mission was to pick the trophy.
"Basketball is all about winning some, losing some.
"We beat them in the preliminary, now they've beaten us in the final.
Never have better words been uttered.
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