NBL Men’s Finals
City Oilers 52 – 46 KIU Titans
Oilers 3-0 KIU (Best of seven series)
MTN ARENA, Lugogo.
BASKETBALL–Four time National Basketball league champions City Oilers have moved to win in one win so as to retain their crown as the defeated KIU Titans 52-46 in games three of the finals.
With the series being a best of Seven, a win for City Oilers on Friday will see the finals won.
On a night when the shooting was below per, Oilers exhibited a great defensive showing as the restricted KIU to speculative efforts throught the game.
Chris Omanyi with 10 points was the only player for the Kansanga based side who managed to get into double figures in the night.
KIU’s star player Suudi Ulanga who is taking part in his first ever final could only manage right points on the night that he will want to forget while the returning from injury. Micheal Bwanga had nine.
Oilers coach Mandy Juruni appropriated the fact that neither team was good offensive wise but was full of praise for his charges that put up a spirited defensive effort.
“We started the game 2-0 and never wanted to give them a chance of making the series 2-1. We came with that in mind and managed to defend well as evident in the fact that they managed only 19 points in the first half,” Mandy Juruni said.
“We were in control of the game from the start and that gave them a few nerves here and there which played in our favour. We still have a gave four to play because to win the championship, you have to win four games,” he added.
Oilers Landry Ndikumana picked up a series high 25 rebounds on the night 19 of which where defensive while Jimmy Enabu too scored in the night with 13 points.
KIU’s Suudi Ulanga who was clearly disappointed after the game spoke about what the basketball fraternity should expect on Friday.
“All i can hope is that such a performance that we have had today could not happen again in the next games because we have no room for error. We are coming out to play on Friday and enjoy the game but on top of it all, want to win our first game,” he said.
KIU has now lost five conservative games against City Oilers having lost both the regular season ties too.
The next game will be on Friday at the same venue with tip off at 7:00pm
