NBL Round 18 (Regular Season): Blazers keep a leadership position

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Blazers as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Blazers edged 6th ranked Jaguars in Kampala 62-60. Blazers forced 21 Jaguars turnovers. Chuol Nyuot had a double-double by scoring 17 points and 13 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and forward Joseph Chuma (-1991) chipped in 11 points during the contest. The best for the losing side was George Agasi with a double-double by scoring 15 points and 14 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Blazers have a solid four-game winning streak. As mentioned above they are alone now at the top position. Newly promoted Jaguars keep the sixth place with seven games lost. Jaguars will play next round against Our Saviour trying to get back on the winning streak. Blazers will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game.
Twelfth-ranked Ndejje Angels (3-11) gave a tough game to second ranked Blazers (12-3) in Kampala. Blazers managed to secure only three-point victory 85-82. However their fans expected much easier game. Forward Joseph Chuma (-1991) notched 15 points and 9 rebounds to lead the effort and Ochera Innocent supported him with 20 points (on 9-of-10 shooting from the field). Blazers' coach allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. Even 21 points and 5 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) by Bolton Rujumba did not help to save the game for Ndejje Angels. Blazers have a solid four-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader. Ndejje Angels lost fourth consecutive game. They stay at the bottom place with 11 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
A very close game took place in Kampala (derby !!!) between Kampala R. and UCU Canons. Eleventh ranked Kampala R. (4-10) got a very close victory on the road over higher ranked UCU Canons (9-6). Kampala R. managed to escape with a 3-point win 70-67 on Wednesday evening. It was quite big embarassment for the home team. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of UCU Canons. The best player for the winners was Puati Kikomba who had a double-double by scoring 16 points and 13 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was Lwabaga Ibanda who recorded 17 points and 5 rebounds. Kampala R. have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to eighth place, which they share with JKL Dolphins. UCU Canons at the other side keep the fourth position with six games lost. Kampala R. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. UCU Canons' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Kampala to the arena Power.

In the last game of round 18 City Oilers won against Power on the opponent's court 81-67.



UCU Canons - Kampala R. 67-70

A very close game took place in Kampala (derby !!!) between Kampala R. and UCU Canons. Eleventh ranked Kampala R. (4-10) got a very close victory on the road over higher ranked UCU Canons (9-6). Kampala R. managed to escape with a 3-point win 70-67 on Wednesday evening. It was quite big embarassment for the home team. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of UCU Canons. The best player for the winners was Puati Kikomba who had a double-double by scoring 16 points and 13 rebounds. South Sudanese swingman Ruai Luak (198-2004) chipped in a double-double by scoring 14 points and 13 rebounds. Four Kampala R. players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was Lwabaga Ibanda who recorded 17 points and 5 rebounds and center Peter Sifuma (-1996) added 6 points and 12 rebounds respectively. Kampala R. have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to eighth place, which they share with JKL Dolphins. UCU Canons at the other side keep the fourth position with six games lost. Kampala R. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. UCU Canons' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Kampala to the arena Power.
Top scorers:
UCU Canons: I.Lwabaga 17+5reb+1ast, K.Jerry 15+2reb+3ast, O.Jimmy 11+6reb+2ast, S.Peter 6+12reb+3ast, O.Marvin 6+2reb, K.Joel 6+10reb
Kampala R.: K.Puati 16+13reb+1ast, N.Christian 14+10reb, G.Kur 14+5reb+3ast, L.Ruai 14+13reb+1ast, S.Ola 8+4reb+1ast, F.Suka 4+1reb

Blazers - Jaguars 62-60

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Blazers as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Blazers edged 6th ranked Jaguars in Kampala 62-60. Blazers forced 21 Jaguars turnovers. Chuol Nyuot had a double-double by scoring 17 points and 13 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and forward Joseph Chuma (-1991) chipped in 11 points during the contest. The best for the losing side was George Agasi with a double-double by scoring 15 points and 14 rebounds and forward Kevin Moru scored 13 points and 4 assists. Four Jaguars players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Blazers have a solid four-game winning streak. As mentioned above they are alone now at the top position. Newly promoted Jaguars keep the sixth place with seven games lost. Jaguars will play next round against Our Saviour trying to get back on the winning streak. Blazers will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game.
Top scorers:
Jaguars: A.George 15+14reb, M.Kevin 13+2reb+4ast, S.Benjamin 12+1reb, L.Ian 10+2reb+3ast, M.Were 4+2reb+1ast, F.Chuma 3+10reb+2ast
Blazers: N.Chuol 17+13reb+3ast, J.Chuma 11+3reb+2ast, C.Peter 10+3reb, D.Gaaki 7+4reb+2ast, W.Arthur 6+4reb, O.Innocent 4+3ast

Power - City Oilers 67-81

Very expected game in Kampala where 10th ranked Power (4-11) was defeated by third ranked City Oilers (11-1) 81-67 on Friday. City Oilers forced 22 Power turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. The best player for the winners was the former international Tonny Drileba (183-1993) who scored 15 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists. The former international James Okello (193-1990) chipped in 12 points and 6 rebounds. Four City Oilers players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was power forward Isaac Afidra (-1985) who recorded 19 points and 5 rebounds and center Phillip Ameny (-1989) added 12 points and 7 rebounds respectively. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. City Oilers have an impressive six-game winning streak. Defending champion moved-up to second place. Power lost sixth consecutive game. They keep the tenth position with 11 games lost. They share it with Livingstone. City Oilers' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Kampala to the arena Our Saviour.
Top scorers:
Power: A.Isaac 19+5reb+2ast, A.Phillip 12+7reb+3ast, P.Taariq 11+8reb+3ast, S.Geofrey 9+6reb+4ast, E.Ssentongo 7+2reb, S.Imran 6+4reb
City Oilers: T.Drileba 15+5reb+8ast, B.Fayed 14+3reb, D.Rogers 12+3reb+2ast, J.Okello 12+6reb+1ast, M.Maker 12+3reb+1ast, I.Muhwezi 8+7reb+3ast

Blazers - Ndejje Angels 85-82

Twelfth-ranked Ndejje Angels (3-11) gave a tough game to second ranked Blazers (12-3) in Kampala. Blazers managed to secure only three-point victory 85-82. However their fans expected much easier game. Blazers outrebounded Ndejje Angels 33-22 including 20 on the defensive glass. Forward Joseph Chuma (-1991) notched 15 points and 9 rebounds to lead the effort and the former international guard Ochera Innocent (-1997) supported him with 20 points (on 9-of-10 shooting from the field). Blazers' coach allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. Even 21 points and 5 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) by Bolton Rujumba did not help to save the game for Ndejje Angels. Benon Wobusobozi added 14 points and 7 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Blazers have a solid four-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader. Ndejje Angels lost fourth consecutive game. They stay at the bottom place with 11 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Ndejje Angels: R.Bolton 21+5reb, Y.Noel 20+2reb+1ast, W.Benon 14+7reb+3ast, A.Haron 10+5reb+7ast, M.Cikom 8+3reb+1ast, G.Anthony 5
Blazers: O.Innocent 20+2reb+2ast, J.Chuma 15+9reb+3ast, P.Odong 14+1reb+4ast, C.Peter 12+1reb, L.Diopa 7+5reb+1ast, W.Arthur 6+3reb+1ast