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Game one Result
Blazers 68:60 UCU
Sommmet 86:74 Oilers
The Lugogo indoor Arena buzzed with anticipation, but few could have predicted the upset that unfolded.
In their playoff debut, Sommet Basketball Club shocked the ten-time defending champions, City Oilers, with a stunning 86–74 victory in Game 1 of the 2025 NBL Men’s semifinals.
The Oilers struck first—Joseph Chuma’s opening basket set the tone—but Sommet quickly found their rhythm.
A tense first quarter ended with Sommet narrowly ahead, 25–22.
The second quarter became a long-range showcase, both teams trading three-pointers in rapid succession.
By halftime, the scores were locked at 44 apiece, leaving fans on edge for what was to come.
In the third, the battle raged on. Sommet, undeterred by the Oilers’ pedigree, began to pull away.
A 56–51 advantage midway through the period forced a timeout from the Oilers.
But Sommet only tightened their grip, stretching the lead to 66–57 by the end of the quarter.
The Oilers threatened a rally in the fourth. A turnover at 6:29 sparked a brief surge, trimming Sommet’s lead to just five.
But the champions unraveled under pressure—missed shots, rushed decisions, and untimely turnovers, gave Sommet all the room they needed.
Then came Mark Ngobi.
From the bench, the Sommet captain exploded in the fourth, dropping 13 of his 17 points in a furious final stretch.
His composure steadied the team as they pulled away for good.
Peter Cheng and Kasereka Tembo anchored the defense, while Nyembo Fataki and Cheng also contributed 18 points each in a complete team performance.
Despite Kurt C. Wegscheider’s all-around brilliance—19 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists—the Oilers couldn’t match Sommet’s energy.
They now trail 0–1 in the best-of-five series, their title defense suddenly in jeopardy.
Earlier in the evening, the Namuwongo Blazers claimed a 68–60 win over UCU Canons.
A dominant first quarter and clutch plays from Ivan Muhwezi and Joel Lukoji helped seal the Blazers’ lead, despite UCU’s third-quarter surge.
But on this night, all eyes belonged to Sommet—a team proving they’re not just guests in the postseason, but real contenders.
Friday night at Lugogo win the Arena will be a pivotal one in the NBL semifinals, with two back-to-back showdowns on the schedule.
Namuwongo Blazers and UCU Canons will reignite their rivalry at 7:00 PM, setting the stage for the night’s main event—City Oilers vs. Sommet Basketball Club—tipping off at 9:00 PM.
With both series hanging in the balance, fans can expect a thrilling night of playoff basketball.
Photo Credits: FUBA Media
