NBL Round 16: Blazers are defeated by City Oilers in a derby game

Tonny Drileba

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most interesting game was a derby match between two local teams from Kampala: City Oilers (#1) and Blazers (#3). Blazers were smashed at home by 20 points 52-72 and even the fact of playing on their own court did not help. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Blazers. City Oilers forced 22 Blazers turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of international Tony Drileba (183-1993) who helped to win the game recording a triple-double by scoring 10 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists and 6 steals and Sudanese center Titus Lual who added 10 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists during the contest. At the losing side Rwandan center Micheal Makiadi (-1989) responded with a double-double by scoring 12 points and 21 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Undefeated City Oilers (12-0) have an impressive 12-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains first position with a perfect record of 12 victories in a row. Blazers at the other side keep the third place with four games lost. City Oilers' supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Kampala to the arena Kampala R..
Another interesting game was again a derby between two teams from Kampala: Our Saviour (#5) and KCCA P. (#7). KCCA P. was defeated at home 65-74 and even the advantage of their own court did not help. The winners were led by power forward Moses Mugisha (-1984) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 19 points and 14 rebounds (made all of his seven free throws) and Kenneth Mesho supported him with 13 points and 12 rebounds. Even 6 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists by Salim Kisilu did not help to save the game for KCCA P.. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Our Saviour maintains fifth position with 7-5 record. KCCA P. lost third consecutive game. They keep the seventh place with eight games lost. They share the position with UPDF and JKL Dolphins. Our Saviour's supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Kampala to the arena UCU Canons.
11th ranked Ndejje Angels (3-9) were outscored at home by third ranked Blazers (9-4) with the biggest margin this round 75-48 on Sunday night. Micheal Makiadi fired a double-double by scoring 16 points and 13 rebounds for the winners. Joseph Kumbai produced a double-double by scoring 12 points and 13 rebounds for lost side. 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 a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain third position with 9-4 record having just two points less than leader City Oilers. Ndejje Angels lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the eleventh place with nine games lost. They share the position with Rezlife S.. Blazers' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Kampala UPDF.

In the last two games of round 16 UPDF lost to JKL Dolphins on the opponent's court 57-70. UCU Canons managed to outperform Rezlife S. in a home game 72-60.