NBL Round 22 (Regular Season): Undefeated Blazers lose their first game against UCU Canons

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of undefeated Blazers (16-1) in Kampala on Friday night. Visitors were edged by fourth ranked UCU Canons (11-7) 62-61. It ended at the same time the 15-game winning streak of Blazers. UCU Canons forced 22 Blazers turnovers. Strangely Blazers outrebounded UCU Canons 45-33 including a 15-3 advantage in offensive rebounds. Lwabaga Ibanda scored 14 points and 7 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and international center Joel Kayira (208-2001) chipped in 7 points and 8 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side Rwandan center Micheal Makiadi (-1989) responded with 14 points and 5 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. UCU Canons moved-up to third place. Blazers at the other side still keep top position with one game lost. UCU Canons' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Kampala to the arena KIU Titans.
Another interesting game was a derby match between two teams from Kampala: Victoria C. (#8) and Jaguars (#3). Victoria C. (8-8) won against visiting Jaguars (10-7) 74-66. Chuol Nyuot notched a double-double by scoring 16 points and 14 rebounds to lead the effort and David Garang Mayom supported him with 15 points and 13 rebounds. Victoria C.'s coach allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. Even a double-double of 19 points and 26 rebounds by center Peter Sifuma (-1996) did not help to save the game for Jaguars. Victoria C. moved-up to seventh place. Jaguars lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the fifth position with seven games lost. They share it with Sommet. Victoria C.'s supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Kampala to the arena .
9th ranked Rezlife S. (6-9) was outscored at home by fifth ranked Kampala R. (10-6) with the biggest margin this round 73-55 on Wednesday night. Puati Kikomba fired a double-double by scoring 10 points, 12 rebounds and 4 blocks for the winners. Micheal Otieno produced 17 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists for lost side. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Kampala R. moved-up to fourth place. Rezlife S. lost third consecutive game. Newly promoted team keeps the ninth position with nine games lost. Kampala R.'s supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Kampala to the arena Blazers.

In the last game of round 22 Sommet won against JKL Dolphins on the opponent's court 68-64.



JKL Dolphins - Sommet 64-68

Rather expected game in Kampala where 9th ranked JKL Dolphins (6-10) were defeated by sixth ranked Sommet (10-7) 68-64 on Wednesday. Sommet forced 23 JKL Dolphins turnovers. DR Congolese Franck Nyembo (-2006) fired 13 points and 9 rebounds for the winners. Forward Peter Cheng chipped in 13 points and 9 rebounds. Five Sommet players scored in double figures. Sommet's coach used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. Noel Yamodo produced 16 points and 4 assists (perfect from the field making all seven shots !!!) and forward Nasser Guddi (-1992) added 6 points and 9 rebounds respectively for lost side. Sommet have a solid four-game winning streak. They moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Jaguars. Loser JKL Dolphins dropped to the tenth position with ten games lost. Sommet's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Kampala to the arena .
Top scorers:
JKL Dolphins: N.Yamodo 16+3reb+4ast, W.Otweyo 12+3reb+2ast, D.Omara 6+1reb, N.Guddi 6+9reb+2ast, E.Bwanka 4+7reb, K.Mesho 3+2reb+1ast
Sommet: J.Teko 13+7reb+1ast, K.Tembo 13+3reb+1ast, F.Nyembo 13+9reb+3ast, P.Cheng 13+9reb, M.Ngobi 10+2reb+4ast, R.Mutawulu 6+2reb

Rezlife S. - Kampala R. 55-73

9th ranked Rezlife S. (6-9) was outscored at home by fifth ranked Kampala R. (10-6) with the biggest margin this round 73-55 on Wednesday night. Kampala R. forced 29 Rezlife S. turnovers. They shot the lights out from three sinking 15 long-distance shots on high 55.6 percentage. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Kampala R. made 8 blocks. Power forward Puati Kikomba fired a double-double by scoring 10 points, 12 rebounds and 4 blocks for the winners. Brian Opio chipped in 17 points. Four Kampala R. players scored in double figures. Guard Micheal Otieno (193-1993) produced 17 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists and center Rin Tueny Mabor (-1996) added 10 points and 10 rebounds respectively for lost side. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Kampala R. moved-up to fourth place. Rezlife S. lost third consecutive game. Newly promoted team keeps the ninth position with nine games lost. Kampala R.'s supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Kampala to the arena Blazers.
Top scorers:
Rezlife S.: M.Otieno 17+6reb+4ast, R.Tueny Mabor 10+10reb, F.Kasinde 9+3reb, A.Desire 8+7reb, C.Omanye 8+5reb+3ast, A.Kisekka 3+1ast
Kampala R.: B.Opio 17+1reb+2ast, G.Kasasa 11+2reb+5ast, P.Kikomba 10+12reb+3ast, M.Juf 10+8reb+1ast, E.Mugabo 6, W.Joseph 6+4reb+4ast

Victoria C. - Jaguars 74-66

Another interesting game was a derby match between two teams from Kampala: Victoria C. (#8) and Jaguars (#3). Victoria C. (8-8) won against visiting Jaguars (10-7) 74-66. Victoria C. forced 24 Jaguars turnovers. Strangely Jaguars outrebounded Victoria C. 67-46 including a 36-14 advantage in offensive rebounds. Chuol Nyuot notched a double-double by scoring 16 points and 14 rebounds to lead the effort and David Garang Mayom (201-2000) supported him with 15 points and 13 rebounds. Four Victoria C. players scored in double figures. Victoria C.'s coach allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. Even a double-double of 19 points and 26 rebounds by center Peter Sifuma (-1996) did not help to save the game for Jaguars. Forward Kevin Moru added 21 points and 7 rebounds for lost side. Victoria C. moved-up to seventh place. Jaguars lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the fifth position with seven games lost. They share it with Sommet. Victoria C.'s supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Kampala to the arena .
Top scorers:
Jaguars: K.Moru 21+7reb, P.Sifuma 19+26reb+2ast, C.Fadhili 9+13reb+1ast, I.Lubwama 9+6reb+5ast, I.Otyek 6+1reb+1ast, T.Obde 2+5reb
Victoria C.: C.Nyuot 16+14reb+2ast, D.Garang Mayom 15+13reb+2ast, B.Minani 14+3reb+1ast, R.Ayume 13+3reb+1ast, E.Komagum 6+7reb+1ast, R.Muwanguzi 4

UCU Canons - Blazers 62-61

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of undefeated Blazers (16-1) in Kampala on Friday night. Visitors were edged by fourth ranked UCU Canons (11-7) 62-61. It ended at the same time the 15-game winning streak of Blazers. UCU Canons forced 22 Blazers turnovers. Strangely Blazers outrebounded UCU Canons 45-33 including a 15-3 advantage in offensive rebounds. Lwabaga Ibanda scored 14 points and 7 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and international center Joel Kayira (208-2001) chipped in 7 points and 8 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side Rwandan center Micheal Makiadi (-1989) responded with 14 points and 5 rebounds and the former international Tonny Drileba (183-1993) scored 12 points and 6 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. UCU Canons moved-up to third place. Blazers at the other side still keep top position with one game lost. UCU Canons' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Kampala to the arena KIU Titans.
Top scorers:
Blazers: M.Makiadi 14+5reb+1ast, T.Drileba 12+6reb+1ast, I.Muhwezi 6+3reb+1ast, O.Innocent 6+5reb+2ast, P.Obleng 6+2reb, A.Chukwurah 4+4reb
UCU Canons: L.Ibanda 14+7reb+2ast, J.Otim 8+2reb+2ast, J.Lihumi 7+1reb, J.Kayira 7+8reb+1ast, M.Okurut 6+2reb, A.Jongroor 6+7reb+1ast