FUBA National Basketball League-Play off (Semis)
MTN Arena, Lugogo
Friday, 14-09-2018
-KIU Titans vs. City Oilers @9:00 pm
-BetWay Power vs. JKL Dolphins @7:30 pm
-UCU Lady Canons vs. KCCA Leopards @5:30 pm
LUGOGO – The FUBA National Basketball League (NBL) playoffs continue on Friday with three games.
Unlike the usual two games per Friday, BetWay Power against JKL Dolphins which was called off on Wednesday night, will also be played on the same day.
The game was called off after power went off inside the first quarter and as the rules suggest, it will be re-played from the start.
The biggest fixture on the night pits last years’ finalists-KIU Titans and City Oiler.
Titans lost to last season’s finals 4-0 to Oilers early this year and the Kansanga based side will be looking to make amends against a side that has dominated the game for half a decade.
“I would rather focus on KIU and how we play which is what we do every day at practice, said KIU’s head coach Brian Wathum ahead of the game.
“We just have to stay ready for every game as they come.
The battle between the two best set offense playing teams in the league will be inside out. In Chris Omanye, KIU Titans has a guard who can finish at the basket and pull up for a three while Jimmy Enabu does the same for Oilers, probably even better.
Sudi Ulanga and Denis Balungu are the key shooters for KIU and could have a few looks from distance. Ben Komakech and Tony Drileba offer the same for City Oilers.
However, the key player for KIU Titans could be Michael Bwanga who has been arguably the best guard in the league this season. His control of the ball and direction of traffic has been unmatched.
Oilers front court of James Okello, Landry Ndikumana and Stephen Omony will give Ethienne Kazungu, Joseph Chuma and Sam Agutu a lot to ponder about on the defensive end.
Kazungu did not show up during last season’s finals and Wathum will expected his forward to offer more against Landry Ndikumana and James Okello.
The contribution of the bench for both sides could also go a long in deciding how the series fare.
In the other game, UCU Lady Canons will take on KCCA Leopards in a heavyweight clash.
Both sides will go into the game full of confidence having won one and lost the other of their two regular season meetings.
UCU defeated KCCA 69-62 in the first game back in May but then went on to lose the reverse fixture 55-66 to the same side.
Both swept past their quarter finals’ opponents, with UCU defeating KIU Rangers while KCCA overcame Angles.
