Old Takers Back! First Bank Knock Out MFM To Reach Final
By FRED LONGJOHN OBEH
FIRST Bank of Lagos staged a stunning comeback to defeat defending champions MFM Basketball Club 47-45 in a gripping semifinal at the 2025 Zenith Bank/NBBF Women’s Basketball Championship on Friday.
The clash between the fierce Lagos rivals lived up to its billing, with both sides showcasing grit and tactical depth under their experienced coaches.
MFM, dominant in the last three editions as the “New Takers,” struck early, winning the first two quarters 10-8 and 13-10. But First Bank, eager to reclaim their lost dominance as the “Old Takers,” regrouped in the third quarter, tightening defence and punishing MFM’s missed free throws to edge 18-15.
With the game on the line, First Bank surged ahead in the final quarter, sealing an 11-7 run and a dramatic 47-45 victory that ended MFM’s title defence.
In the other semifinal, unbeaten Dolphins of Lagos proved too strong for debutants Royal Aces of Abuja, cruising to a 66-44 win despite early resistance.
The stage is now set for a high-stakes final between Dolphins and First Bank—two unbeaten powerhouses with a history of dominance—promising fans an electrifying battle for the 2025 crown.
