NBL Round 18: Blazers defeat UCU Canons in the closest game of the week

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 18 in the NBL took place in . This derby game ended with only three-point defeat on the road of their close opponent UCU Canons (14-5) to second ranked Blazers (15-4) 64-61 in the game for the second place. It was a key game for the second position in the league. Blazers forced 21 UCU Canons turnovers. DR Congolese center Amisi Saidi (200-1987) had a double-double by scoring 17 points and 13 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and Deng Dikong chipped in 15 points and 8 rebounds during the contest. The best for the losing side was center Peter Sifuma (-1996) with a double-double by scoring 14 points and 11 rebounds. UCU Canons' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Blazers have an impressive ten-game winning streak. They maintain second position with 15-4 record behind leader City Oilers. UCU Canons at the other side dropped to the third place with five games lost. Blazers are looking forward to face Victoria USY (#12) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. UCU Canons' supporters also look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Kampala UPDF.
Another interesting game was a derby match between two teams from Kampala: City Oilers (#1) and JKL Dolphins (#8). JKL Dolphins were smashed at home by 27 points 66-93 and even the fact of playing on their own court did not help. Swingman Ruai Luak (196-2004) notched 14 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists to lead the effort and Ceaser Kizito supported him with 18 points and 7 steals. Even a double-double of 21 points and 12 rebounds by Mabor Makol did not help to save the game for JKL Dolphins. Defending champion maintains first position with 16-4 record. JKL Dolphins lost third consecutive game. They keep the eighth place with 11 games lost. City Oilers will play against Victoria USY (#12) in the next round which should be another easy win for them. JKL Dolphins' supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Kampala to the arena Falcons.
Bottom-ranked Falcons (0-22) is still winless. This time they could not use their home court advantage losing their 22th consecutive match to eleventh ranked Ndejje Angels (7-12) 106-60 on Saturday evening. The best player for the winners was Haron Alinaitwe who scored 18 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 7 steals. Ndejje Angels' coach felt very confident that he used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. At the other side the best for losing team was Kenneth Mesho who recorded a double-double by scoring 22 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists. Ndejje Angels maintains eleventh position with 7-12 record. Loser Falcons still closes the standings. Ndejje Angels will meet higher ranked KCCA P. (#7) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Falcons' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Kampala JKL Dolphins.

There were no shocking results in the other games in round 18: Victoria USY lost to Tropical R. on the opponent's court 64-72. Betway Power managed to outperform UPDF in a home game 78-66. Blazers rolled over KCCA P. on the road 82-52. Winless Falcons was crushed by UPDF on its own court 48-126. KIU Titans beat Betway Power in Kampala 77-65.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 16 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists and 6 steals by Isaiah Ater of KIU Titans.

JKL Dolphins - City Oilers 66-93

Another interesting game was a derby match between two teams from Kampala: City Oilers (#1) and JKL Dolphins (#8). JKL Dolphins were smashed at home by 27 points 66-93 and even the fact of playing on their own court did not help. City Oilers forced 32 JKL Dolphins turnovers. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 24 assists. Swingman Ruai Luak (196-2004) notched 14 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists to lead the effort and Ceaser Kizito supported him with 18 points and 7 steals. Four City Oilers players scored in double figures. Even a double-double of 21 points and 12 rebounds by Mabor Makol did not help to save the game for JKL Dolphins. Ayiik Ayong added 18 points and 5 rebounds. Defending champion maintains first position with 16-4 record. JKL Dolphins lost third consecutive game. They keep the eighth place with 11 games lost. City Oilers will play against Victoria USY (#12) in the next round which should be another easy win for them. JKL Dolphins' supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Kampala to the arena Falcons.
Top scorers:
JKL Dolphins: M.Mabor 21+12reb+2ast, A.Ayiik 18+5reb+2ast, M.Bienfait 9+4reb+8ast, D.Katumba 9+11reb+2ast, D.Malual 6+8reb+3ast, A.Christopher 3+1reb
City Oilers: C.Kizito 18+4reb+2ast, L.Ruai 14+7reb+4ast, J.Enabu 14+2reb+5ast, D.John 12+4reb, B.Komakech 11+3reb+4ast, I.Muhwezi 9+3reb+2ast

Blazers - UCU Canons 64-61

The most exciting game of round 18 in the NBL took place in . This derby game ended with only three-point defeat on the road of their close opponent UCU Canons (14-5) to second ranked Blazers (15-4) 64-61 in the game for the second place. It was a key game for the second position in the league. Blazers forced 21 UCU Canons turnovers. DR Congolese center Amisi Saidi (200-1987) had a double-double by scoring 17 points and 13 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and Deng Dikong chipped in 15 points and 8 rebounds during the contest. The best for the losing side was center Peter Sifuma (-1996) with a double-double by scoring 14 points and 11 rebounds and Tanzanian forward Chuma Fadhili (-1995) produced a double-double by scoring 12 points and 11 rebounds. UCU Canons' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Blazers have an impressive ten-game winning streak. They maintain second position with 15-4 record behind leader City Oilers. UCU Canons at the other side dropped to the third place with five games lost. Blazers are looking forward to face Victoria USY (#12) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. UCU Canons' supporters also look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Kampala UPDF.
Top scorers:
UCU Canons: S.Peter 14+11reb, C.Fadhili 12+11reb+2ast, K.Jerry 11+5reb+2ast, B.Fayed 9+4reb+3ast, T.Lual 8+9reb+1ast, U.Sudi 3+4reb+2ast
Blazers: A.Saidi 17+13reb+1ast, P.Odong 15+5reb+2ast, D.Deng 15+8reb+1ast, K.Okall 7+8reb, D.Monoja 4+5reb, C.Kasujja 3+1reb+1ast

Tropical R. - Victoria USY 72-64

Rather expected game when 12th ranked Victoria USY (5-16) was defeated on the road by tenth ranked Tropical R. (8-12) 72-64 on Saturday. Tropical R. forced 19 Victoria USY turnovers and had a 44-31 advantage in offensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. The best player for the winners was Duallo Joshua who had a double-double by scoring 18 points and 20 rebounds. Allan Nandala chipped in 14 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. Tropical R.'s coach used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. At the other side the best for losing team was Maker Mayen who recorded a double-double by scoring 16 points and 16 rebounds and Cedric Alema added 15 points and 9 rebounds respectively. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Newly promoted Tropical R. maintains tenth position with 8-12 record. Victoria USY lost third consecutive game. Victoria USY at the other side, also newcomer in the league, keeps the twelfth place with 16 games lost. Tropical R. will meet at home higher ranked Our Saviour (#9) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Victoria USY will play against the league's leader City Oilers where they are definitely not considered as a favorite in this game either.
Top scorers:
Victoria USY: M.Maker 16+16reb+2ast, A.Cedric 15+9reb+2ast, O.Emmanuel 10+6reb+3ast, K.Mambo 10+4reb+5ast, M.Nyong 6+4reb, O.Brian 5+8reb+3ast
Tropical R.: J.Duallo 18+20reb+3ast, O.Juma 17+1reb+2ast, N.Allan 14+7reb+5ast, N.Musinguzi 10+2reb+5ast, O.Denis 5+5reb+1ast, O.Charles 4+11reb+4ast

Falcons - Ndejje Angels 60-106

Bottom-ranked Falcons (0-22) is still winless. This time they could not use their home court advantage losing their 22th consecutive match to eleventh ranked Ndejje Angels (7-12) 106-60 on Saturday evening. Ndejje Angels dominated down low during the game scoring 76 of its points in the paint compared to Falcons' 40. Ndejje Angels forced 26 Falcons turnovers and outrebounded them 46-35 including a 30-19 advantage in defensive rebounds. Ndejje Angels looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The best player for the winners was Haron Alinaitwe who scored 18 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 7 steals. Joseph Kumbai chipped in a double-double by scoring 12 points, 11 rebounds and 4 blocks. Four Ndejje Angels players scored in double figures. Ndejje Angels' coach felt very confident that he used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. At the other side the best for losing team was Kenneth Mesho who recorded a double-double by scoring 22 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists and swingman Henrison Mbaziira added 21 points respectively. Ndejje Angels maintains eleventh position with 7-12 record. Loser Falcons still closes the standings. Ndejje Angels will meet higher ranked KCCA P. (#7) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Falcons' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Kampala JKL Dolphins.
Top scorers:
Falcons: M.Kenneth 22+13reb+4ast, M.Henrison 21+3ast, N.Mark 11+4reb+1ast, M.Emmanuel 4+8reb+1ast, K.Deo 2+3reb+2ast, A.Emmanuel 0+2reb+1ast
Ndejje Angels: A.Haron 18+5reb+4ast, A.Samuel 17+1ast, S.Hassan 14+2reb+1ast, K.Joseph 12+11reb+3ast, M.Cikom 10+6reb+1ast, K.Livingstone 9+5reb+2ast

Betway Power - UPDF 78-66

Everything could happen at the game between two tied teams. Both fourth ranked Betway Power and 5th ranked UPDF had identical 13-7 record. This time Betway Power used a home court advantage and defeated the opponent from Kampala 78-66 on Saturday night. Betway Power forced 20 UPDF turnovers. The best player for the winners was the former international forward Geoffrey Soro (198-1992) who scored 20 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. Guard Innocent Ochera (-1997) chipped in 22 points. Four Betway Power players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was swingman David Okello (-1997) who recorded 15 points and forward Ferdinand Odama (-1995) added 14 points respectively. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Betway Power maintains fourth position with 14-7 record. Loser UPDF keeps the fifth place with eight games lost. Betway Power will meet league's second-placed Blazers in the next round and it may be the game of the week. UPDF's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Kampala to the arena UCU Canons.
Top scorers:
UPDF: O.David 15+3reb+3ast, F.Odama 14+4reb+2ast, W.Pirwoth 12+3reb+2ast, W.Arthur 8+5reb+2ast, W.Edrine 7+3reb+1ast, B.Okumu 4+2reb
Betway Power: I.Ochera 22+4reb+2ast, G.Soro 20+7reb+5ast, D.Asiku 10+7reb+2ast, E.Ssentongo 10+2reb+2ast, F.Kasinde 6+4reb+1ast, N.Guddi 5+5reb+1ast

KCCA P. - Blazers 52-82

Not a big story in a game when 7th ranked KCCA P. (10-10) was rolled over at home by second ranked Blazers (15-4) 82-52 on Sunday. Blazers forced 36 KCCA P. turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists comparing to just 8 passes made by KCCA P.'s players. The best player for the winners was DR Congolese center Amisi Saidi (200-1987) who had a double-double by scoring 25 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals. Kenyan point guard Kennedy Wachira (180-1995) chipped in 15 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was forward Emmanuel Odongkara (-1989) who recorded 13 points and 5 rebounds and forward Wilson Otweyo (-1989) added 7 points and 6 rebounds respectively. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Blazers have an impressive ten-game winning streak. They maintain second position with 15-4 record behind leader City Oilers. Loser KCCA P. keeps the seventh place with ten games lost. Blazers will meet Victoria USY (#12) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. KCCA P. will play against Ndejje Angels (#11) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
KCCA P.: O.Emmanuel 13+5reb+1ast, D.Ojoro 9+5reb, W.Otweyo 7+6reb+1ast, O.Martin 7+6reb+1ast, G.Leonardo 4+9reb, N.Akok 4+7reb+2ast
Blazers: A.Saidi 25+13reb+4ast, W.Kennedy 15+5reb+4ast, C.Kasujja 9+2reb+1ast, R.Ongom 7+4reb, D.Deng 7+3reb+3ast, N.Chuol 5+8reb+1ast

Falcons - UPDF 48-126

Everything went according to plan in Kampala where fifth ranked UPDF (13-8) outscored bottom-ranked Falcons (0-22) 126-48 on Sunday. UPDF held Falcons to an opponent 22.1 percent shooting from the field compared to 47.4 percent accuracy of the winners. UPDF forced 37 Falcons turnovers and outrebounded them 70-50 including a 49-34 advantage in defensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 34 assists comparing to just 9 passes made by Falcons' players. The best player for the winners was swingman David Okello (-1997) who had a double-double by scoring 30 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 steals. Forward Edrine Walujjo (193-2000) chipped in 23 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists and 6 steals. Five UPDF players scored in double figures. Coach 's team controlled all game and the coach could let to play all 12 players and allowed the starting five to rest. At the other side the best for losing team was forward Emmanuel Mwesigwa who recorded 8 points and 21 rebounds and Kenneth Mesho added 9 points and 16 rebounds respectively. UPDF maintains fifth position with 13-8 record. Loser Falcons still closes the standings. UPDF's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Kampala to the arena UCU Canons.
Top scorers:
Falcons: N.Mark 12+2ast, M.Henrison 10+6reb+1ast, M.Kenneth 9+16reb+1ast, M.Emmanuel 8+21reb+3ast, K.Deo 6, M.Trezor 3
UPDF: O.David 30+10reb+7ast, W.Edrine 23+5reb+7ast, W.Arthur 18+14reb+2ast, J.Egau 14+4reb+2ast, F.Odama 13+7reb+2ast, W.Pirwoth 9+3reb+5ast

Betway Power - KIU Titans 65-77

There was a minor upset when 4th ranked Betway Power (14-7) was defeated at home by sixth ranked KIU Titans (12-9) 77-65 on Sunday. KIU Titans forced 33 Betway Power turnovers. The best player for the winners was Edgar Munaba who had a double-double by scoring 15 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists. Isaiah Ater chipped in 16 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists and 6 steals. Five KIU Titans players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was guard Innocent Ochera (-1997) who recorded 22 points and Kasinde Francis added 11 points and 7 rebounds respectively. Betway Power's coach tested eleven players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. KIU Titans have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain sixth position with 12-9 record. Loser Betway Power keeps the fourth place with seven games lost. KIU Titans will meet at home KCCA P. (#7) in the next round. Betway Power will play against the league's second-placed Blazers and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Betway Power: I.Ochera 22+3reb, N.Guddi 12+6reb+1ast, F.Kasinde 11+7reb+3ast, G.Soro 9+5reb+1ast, A.Isaac 6+4reb+2ast, E.Ssentongo 5+1reb+2ast
KIU Titans: K.Ahmed 16+2reb+2ast, A.Isaiah 16+5reb+6ast, M.Edgar 15+11reb+4ast, O.Fidel Odur 11+11reb+1ast, M.Otieno 11+6reb+3ast, S.Mugerwa 4+5reb



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