IBADAN — The race for the 2026 Dreams Basketball Tournament championship has entered its decisive stage, with Showtyme Hoopers, Delta Force, Beavers Basketball and Gidi Giants booking their places in Friday’s semi-finals after contrasting quarter-final victories at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Liberty Road, Ibadan.
The fifth edition of the Dreams Basketball Tournament, organised as a platform for competitive development and talent discovery, has so far delivered entertaining basketball, dramatic comebacks and emphatic victories.
After four quarter-final games produced 31 points in the closest contest and a 57-point winning margin in the biggest blowout, attention now turns to Friday’s semi-finals, where the remaining four teams will battle for places in Saturday’s championship game.
Showtyme Hoopers march on with statement victory
Defending champions Showtyme Hoopers continued their quest for a third consecutive Dreams Basketball Tournament title with a commanding 82–56 victory over Vision Sports Academy.
Having survived a difficult opening-round encounter against Beavers Basketball, Showtyme were considerably more authoritative in the quarter-final.
The champions controlled the game from the outset, combining offensive efficiency with defensive pressure to establish separation from Vision Sports Academy.
The 26-point victory sends a clear message to the rest of the field: Showtyme remain the team to beat.
Their semi-final clash against Delta Force will therefore be more than just another knockout game. It is an opportunity for the defending champions to move one step closer to completing a three-peat.
Delta Force stun Rising Stars
If Showtyme’s progression was expected, Delta Force’s 72–65 victory over Rising Stars was one of the most significant results of the quarter-final stage.
Rising Stars entered the knockout phase with considerable momentum after producing one of the most remarkable comebacks of the opening round.
They had overturned a huge deficit against Akure Raiders to win their opening game 56–49, demonstrating resilience and mental toughness.
But Delta Force proved too strong when the stakes became even higher.
The Deltans produced a composed performance to win by seven points, ending Rising Stars’ campaign and securing a semi-final meeting with the defending champions.
That matchup now presents an intriguing contrast: Showtyme’s championship pedigree against Delta Force’s quarter-final momentum.
Beavers Basketball knock out University of Ibadan
In another absorbing quarter-final, Beavers Basketball eliminated the University of Ibadan 91–85 to reach the last four.
The result represents a significant turnaround for Beavers, who had already pushed Showtyme Hoopers hard in the opening round before eventually losing 77–71.
Their six-point defeat to the defending champions clearly did not derail their campaign.
Instead, Beavers regrouped and produced an attacking performance against UI, putting 91 points on the scoreboard to secure their semi-final ticket.
For the University of Ibadan, the result ends a promising campaign.
Gidi Giants deliver the biggest statement
If any team emerged from the quarter-finals with the loudest statement, it was undoubtedly Gidi Giants.
The Lagos-based side produced a spectacular offensive display, dismantling Akure Raiders 102–45.
The 57-point margin of victory was the largest of the quarter-final stage and one of the most emphatic performances of the tournament so far.
Gidi Giants crossed the century mark while restricting their opponents to just 45 points, demonstrating an impressive combination of offensive production and defensive discipline.
Their victory also represents a remarkable response after the contrasting fortunes of Akure Raiders.
For Gidi Giants, the emphatic victory has transformed them from quarter-final hopefuls into genuine championship contenders.
Semi-final stage: Four teams, one final
With the quarter-finals completed, the tournament now enters its most important phase.
Friday’s semi-finals will determine the two teams that will contest the championship game on Saturday.
Showtyme Hoopers vs Delta Force
This is arguably the most anticipated semi-final.
Showtyme enter the game as defending champions and the only team left in the competition with proven championship pedigree.
Delta Force, meanwhile, arrive with confidence after eliminating Rising Stars 72–65.
Showtyme will be expected to rely on their experience, defensive organisation and ability to manage pressure, while Delta Force will need to find a way to disrupt the champions’ rhythm and prevent them from establishing an early lead.
Beavers Basketball vs Gidi Giants
The second semi-final promises a completely different style of contest.
Beavers Basketball have already demonstrated that they can compete with the tournament’s best, having taken Showtyme to the wire in the opening round before eventually losing 77–71.
They followed that performance by defeating University of Ibadan 91–85.
Gidi Giants, however, will enter the contest with enormous confidence following their 102–45 demolition of Akure Raiders.
The key question will be whether Beavers can contain Gidi Giants’ offensive production.
Will Showtyme Hoopers complete the journey to a third straight Dreams Basketball Tournament crown, or will a new champion emerge in Ibadan?
The answer begins on Friday.
