NBL Playoffs Take a Pause

The National Basketball League (NBL) Playoffs have taken a brief hiatus and will resume a week later on Sunday, July 28. This interlude is due to the National Women’s Basketball team, the Gazelles, holding a 10-day training camp in Germany until July 25. The Gazelles are preparing for the FIBA ZONE V Women Qualifiers scheduled for early next year.

The Women’s Playoffs have been particularly impacted by this pause since half of the participating teams, excluding Miracle Ravens, Magic Stormers, JT Lady Jaguars, and UPDF, have players on the Gazelles squad. In the Women’s series, the matchup between KIU Rangers and Miracle Ravens was earlier decided, with KIU securing a decisive 2-0 sweep. Additionally, Coaches Nicholas Natuhereza (UCU Canons) and Julius Lutwama (KIU Titans) are part of the Gazelles’ backroom staff in Germany, causing their respective men’s teams to delay their playoff games until their return.
Two Men’s Quarterfinal series were unaffected by this Gazelles trip: City Oilers vs. Kampala Rockets and Nam Blazers vs. Our Saviour. Both series have concluded with City Oilers and Nam Blazers advancing to the Semifinals after sweeping their opponents.

Quarterfinal Results (Best of Three)
Men’s Division:
City Oilers vs. Kampala Rockets:

Game 1: 75-52

Game 2: 91-69

Result: City Oilers win 2-0

Nam Blazers vs. Our Saviour:

Game 1: 73-61

Game 2: 86-79

Result: Nam Blazers win 2-0

KIU Titans vs. JT Jaguars:

Game 1: 60-51

Game 2: To be played

Game 3: May be played

KCCA Panthers vs. UCU Canons:

Game 1: 60-80

Game 2: To be played

Game 3: May be played

Women’s Division:
JKL Lady Dolphins vs. UPDF Lady Tomahawks:

Game 1: 95-59

Game 2: To be played

Game 3: May be played

UCU Lady Canons vs. Magic Stormers:

Game 1: 48-46

Game 2: To be played

Game 3: May be played

KIU Rangers vs. Miracle Ravens:

Game 1: 80-47

Game 2: 68-51

Result: KIU Rangers win 2-0

KCCA Leopards vs. JT Lady Jaguars:

Game 1: 55-65

Game 2: To be played

Game 3: May be played

Courtesy of: sportsnation.co.ug