By BABATUNDE OGUNRINDE

The University of Lagos (UNILAG) male and female basketball teams on Thursday booked their places in the finals, in the ongoing Nigeria University Games.

The UNILAG male team crushed hard fighting University of Ilorin, 87-67 to contend for the gold medal in the final duel on Friday.

They will play Nile University (Abuja) who defeated tournament favourite, Sir Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, 63-44.

In the female.category, the UNILAG girls, with a convincing display, put out Benson Idahosa University, Edo State, 58-48 to make it to the final, with a chance to win the gold medal.

The victory set them up with girls from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife who crushed Nasara State University, Keffi, 37-32.

Coach Emmanuel Okolo of UNILAG told the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) that the male team was capable of defeating any opponent for the gold medal.

“We don’t have doubts in our capabilities, we are confident that we will sail through and win the all-important gold medal.

“We have played very well to reach the final and we need to do more to win the gold medal.

“We can’t do but strive harder to achieve our aim,” Okolo said.

Incidentally, both teams met in the group stage and it was Nile University that had the upper hand.

On his part, Coach Hamza Mohammed of the Nile University told NAN that his team was ready to beat UNILAG.

“We did it before and we can do it again; we cannot be intimated by the home support UNILAG is enjoying.

“We look forward with great confidence,” Mohammed said. (NAN)