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City Oilers conquered game one against Nam Blazers in the NBL playoff Finals on Wednesday at the Lugogo MTN Arena.
Both City Oilers and Namuwongo Blazers started off the game in good shape and were tip toeing each other on the score board ending the first quarter so close as Nam blazers edged it 13-12.
In the second quarter, the game did not change much as Nam Blazers continued to hold their foot on the gas only to end half time with a three point lead of a 29-26 score line.
The third quarter proved to prove it that it wasn’t a conscidence Nam Blazers were on top they widened the gap between them and the Oilers to 10 points through a collective team effort and encouragement from their fanbase
At some point Oilers showed their zeal to win the game it without using a lot of effort but just the basics of the game while defending well against the Blazers however much they missed 12 of their 13 shots in this half.
But in a few minutes, an energized Oilers side pulled off a comeback that shortened down the gap to 4 points ending the third quarter 44-40 in favour of the Blazers.
The Oilers who felt were getting closer and closer, got better in the last quarter because of experience held over the years, only to steal a win the intense game to hold it in their hands for the best of seven best game final series hence ending the game 53-60 in favour of the seven-time champions.
Suprisingly in a game that was carried by City Oil, Nam Blazers’ Chris Omanye who put up the most points followed by Tonny Drilleba who played the third and fourth quarter in a bit of pain with (13), Maker Moses (12), Blazers’ Amisi Saidi (12) and Ben Komakech (10).
Nam Blazers are set to go back to the drawing board and find a way to de-throne the record champions City Oilers in order to avoid a sweep.
On the side of the women‘s final, JKL Lady Dolphins beat UCU Lady Canons 60-50 in the first game of the best of seven series final.
Natuhereza’s charges of UCU began on a high as their star player Rose Akon rose up to the occasion points only for the University side to raise 8 points, 6 behind the experienced JKL Lady Dolphins side in the first quarter.
On the side of JKL, their high press style something they have displayed all along in regular season was rewarded through Brenda Ekone to help the team make up 10 of the 14 points in the first period.
The game continued to look tight in a much contested period with the quarter ending 24-32 with Flavia Okecho and Hope Akello rising them selves up to put up points for their side.
Ritah Emanishimwe who was in search for her sixth crown created a hard evening for her former employers hence squeezing a in held performance of them in the fourth quarter which once brought them back into the game, leveling it 50-50 with four minutes left on the clock.
But Evelyne Nakiyingi and Stella oyella for JKL Lady Dolphins were the super subs brought off the bench to come and seal the win. 60-50 in favour of the JKL Lady Dolphins.
In terms of points on the day Brenda Ekone scored (21) points and Flavia ‘Flirsh’ Oketcho put up the second most (15) for the JKL Lady Dolphins while UCU’s Rose Akon (19) points and 12 rebounds.
Game two for both the Men and Women will be played on Friday at Lugogo indoor Arena
