FUBA NBL 2018
City Oilers 81-73 BetWay Power
MTN Arena, Lugogo
Wednesday, 17-10-2018
LUGOGO – City Oilers had to do it the hard way in order to defeat BetWay Power and win a six National Basketball League Championship on Wednesday night.
Trailing by seven going into the fourth quarter, Oilers restricted Power to just 13 points whilst posting 28 of their own to win game five of the best of seven series 83-17 and the finals 4-1.
Power went into the game knowing that a loss on Wednesday would guarantee that Oilers win this year’s championship and the BetWay sponsored side started brightly, posting the first two points of the game through Geoffrey Soro’s layup.
Despite Oilers leveling the game on four occasions in the first quarter, they could only look on as Power took it 20-17.
In the second, again Power started strongly, posting the first four points and subsequently racing into a seven point lead on course to winning it 23-21 and ensuring they hold a healthy five point lead at half time.
Power tried to seal the game in the third, enjoying 10 point lead at some point and eventually winning it 17-15 and taking a seven point lead into the last 10 minutes of the game.
However, it was in the fourth that Oilers produced a masterclass to win the series. At the start, James Okello sank three quick points to bring the deficit to within four points with 09:36 on the clock and despite a cat and mouse game in the next few minutes, the defending champions leveled the game with just over four minutes to play following an 8-0 run.
Power responded immediately with three points from Soro and then the Jimmy Enabu show started. The Oilers captain posted eight of his side’s last 15 points to help them win the 83-71.
Enabu led Oilers with a game high 18 points. James Okello contributed a double double of 16 points and 12 rebounds. Landry Ndikumana had 13 points and 11 rebounds.
For Power, Paul Odong scored 13 points, Isaac Afidra and Stephen Wundi scored 11 points each.
Power who squandered a ten point lead, should have themselves to blame after making 11 turnovers on the night.
The victory means that Oilers now move level with Falcons on six championships, the most by any side in the Uganda National Basketball League.
In the other final played on the day, Jamila Nansikombi posted a game high 21 points as her JKL Lady Dolphins side defeat defending champions UCU Lady Canons 70-64 in game one of the Women’s finals.
JKL won quarters one, two and four en route to the victory.
