NBL Round 23 (Regular Season): Leader Blazers lose to Kampala R.

The Regular Season in NBL is slowly approaching the end. But there may be still some important changes in the final standings in the last 5 rounds. What a coincidence that all visitors won their games. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Top ranked Blazers (16-2) recorded its second loss at the home court on Sunday night. Hosts were defeated by fourth ranked Kampala R. (11-7) 65-60. Kampala R. forced 21 Blazers turnovers. The best player for the winners was Brian Opio who scored 22 points and 6 rebounds. Christian Ndibu chipped in 9 points and 13 rebounds. The former international Tonny Drileba (183-1993) produced 10 points and 4 assists for the hosts. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Kampala R. maintains fourth place with 11-7 record. Blazers at the other side still keep top position with two games lost. Kampala R.'s supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Kampala UCU Canons.
Important game to mention about took place in Kampala. Eighth ranked City Oilers (8-7) saved a 3-point derby victory on the road edging 9th ranked Rezlife S. (7-10) 75-72 on Sunday evening. Center Maker Mer orchestrated the victory by scoring 20 points and 8 rebounds. Fayed Baale contributed with 16 points and 6 assists for the winners. Guard Christopher Omanye (183-1994) answered with 24 points and 4 assists for Rezlife S.Defending champion moved-up to seventh place. Newly promoted Rezlife S. keeps the ninth position with ten games lost. They share it with JKL Dolphins. City Oilers' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Kampala KCCA P..
We should mention about the upset which took place in Kampala, where 6th ranked Jaguars (10-8) lost at home to ninth ranked Rezlife S. (7-10) 49-55 on Saturday. It was a great evening for Micheal Otieno who led his team to a victory scoring 13 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals. Rezlife S.'s coach used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Peter Sifuma responded with 7 points and 13 rebounds. Newly promoted Rezlife S. maintains ninth place with 7-10 record, which they share with JKL Dolphins. Jaguars lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the sixth position with eight games lost. Rezlife S.'s supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Kampala to the arena KIU Titans.

Other games of round 23 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
KCCA P. crushed Livingstone in Kampala 85-58. Kampala R. was beaten by JKL Dolphins at home 55-69. UCU Canons won against KIU Titans on the opponent's court 77-68.



Livingstone - KCCA P. 58-85

There was no surprise in Kampala where 12th ranked Livingstone (1-15) was crushed by third ranked KCCA P. (12-8) 85-58 on Saturday. KCCA P. dominated down low during the game scoring 56 of its points in the paint compared to Livingstone's 36. KCCA P. forced 26 Livingstone turnovers and outrebounded them 38-25 including 24 on the defensive glass. KCCA P. looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists comparing to just 12 passes made by Livingstone's players. It was a great evening for Stephen Otoa who led his team to a victory scoring 9 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals. The former international center Ivan Lumanyika (205-1992) helped adding 11 points and 6 rebounds. KCCA P.'s coach felt very confident that he used 10 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Diopa Lukusa responded with 13 points and Oscar Byomuhangi scored 10 points and 4 assists. KCCA P. maintains third place with 12-8 record having two points less than leader Blazers. Livingstone lost eleventh consecutive game. They stay at the bottom position with 15 games lost. KCCA P.'s supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Kampala to the arena City Oilers.
Top scorers:
Livingstone: D.Lukusa 13+3reb, O.Byomuhangi 10+2reb+4ast, D.Asiku 9+5reb, D.Otim 8+2reb+2ast, I.Athuai 7+4reb+1ast, B.Kalibara 5+1ast
KCCA P.: D.Assimwe 15+1reb+2ast, C.Monybai 11+5reb+1ast, I.Lumanyika 11+6reb+2ast, S.Otoa 9+6reb+6ast, E.Ateng 9+4reb, L.Kimambo 8+2reb+3ast

Jaguars - Rezlife S. 49-55

We should mention about the upset which took place in Kampala, where 6th ranked Jaguars (10-8) lost at home to ninth ranked Rezlife S. (7-10) 49-55 on Saturday. Rezlife S. forced 24 Jaguars turnovers. It was a great evening for guard Micheal Otieno (193-1993) who led his team to a victory scoring 13 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals. Center Rin Tueny Mabor (-1996) helped adding 9 points and 11 rebounds. Rezlife S.'s coach used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Center Peter Sifuma (-1996) responded with 7 points and 13 rebounds and Ian Lubwama scored 15 points. Newly promoted Rezlife S. maintains ninth place with 7-10 record, which they share with JKL Dolphins. Jaguars lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the sixth position with eight games lost. Rezlife S.'s 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:
Jaguars: I.Lubwama 15+2reb+3ast, K.Moru 9+2reb+2ast, A.Eboyu 9+1reb+2ast, P.Sifuma 7+13reb+1ast, C.Fadhili 4+12reb+2ast, T.Obde 3+6reb
Rezlife S.: M.Otieno 13+8reb+4ast, F.Kasinde 12+5reb+1ast, R.Tueny Mabor 9+11reb+1ast, A.Desire 8+11reb+2ast, K.Caleb 4+2reb+2ast, M.Sematimba 3+1reb

Kampala R. - JKL Dolphins 55-69

There was a surprise result when tenth ranked JKL Dolphins (7-10) defeated on the road 4th placed Kampala R. (11-7) 69-55 on Saturday. JKL Dolphins outrebounded Kampala R. 55-29 including a 24-9 advantage in offensive rebounds. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when JKL Dolphins made 7 blocks. It was a great evening for Kesseng Kesseng who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 10 points, 20 rebounds and 6 blocks. Forward Wilson Otweyo (-1989) helped adding 17 points. Christian Ndibu responded with 14 points and 8 rebounds and power forward Puati Kikomba scored 3 points and 11 rebounds. Kampala R.'s coach rotated eleven players and allowed the starting five to rest. JKL Dolphins moved-up to ninth place, which they share with Rezlife S. Loser Kampala R. keeps the fourth position with seven games lost. JKL Dolphins' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Kampala KIU Titans.
Top scorers:
Kampala R.: C.Ndibu 14+8reb, B.Opio 14+2reb+1ast, R.Ahumuza 8, S.Kinyera 5, G.Kasasa 5+6reb+3ast, P.Kikomba 3+11reb+3ast
JKL Dolphins: W.Otweyo 17+3reb+2ast, H.Alinaitwe 16+2reb+2ast, K.Kesseng 10+20reb+2ast, M.Muhindo 9+4reb+4ast, N.Guddi 6+6reb+1ast, E.Bwanka 6+10reb+2ast

KIU Titans - UCU Canons 68-77

Very expected game in Kampala where 11th ranked KIU Titans (2-15) were defeated by third ranked UCU Canons (12-7) 77-68 on Sunday. UCU Canons forced 20 KIU Titans turnovers and had a 35-23 advantage in offensive rebounds. It was a great evening for Lwabaga Ibanda who led his team to a victory scoring 23 points. Carl Loum helped adding 11 points and 13 rebounds. UCU Canons' coach used entire bench and allowed the starting five to rest. P Akuk responded with a double-double by scoring 15 points and 14 rebounds and Daniel Odonkyero scored 22 points and 7 rebounds. UCU Canons have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to second place. Loser KIU Titans keep the eleventh position with 15 games lost. UCU Canons' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Kampala Livingstone.
Top scorers:
KIU Titans: D.Odonkyero 22+7reb, P.Akuk 15+14reb+3ast, A.Olum 9+4reb, N.Opio 7+1reb, C.Isabu 6+2reb+1ast, W.Saverino 5+5reb+8ast
UCU Canons: L.Ibanda 23+4reb+1ast, E.Zachariah 15+5reb, C.Loum 11+13reb+1ast, N.Okidi 6+2reb, J.Lihumi 5+5reb, F.Dushime 4+2reb+5ast

Rezlife S. - City Oilers 72-75

Important game to mention about took place in Kampala. Eighth ranked City Oilers (8-7) saved a 3-point derby victory on the road edging 9th ranked Rezlife S. (7-10) 75-72 on Sunday evening. City Oilers forced 22 Rezlife S. turnovers and outrebounded them 42-29 including 28 on the defensive glass. Center Maker Mer orchestrated the victory by scoring 20 points and 8 rebounds. The former international point guard Fayed Baale (173-2001) contributed with 16 points and 6 assists for the winners. Guard Christopher Omanye (183-1994) answered with 24 points and 4 assists and Francis Kasinde added 17 points in the effort for Rezlife S.Defending champion moved-up to seventh place. Newly promoted Rezlife S. keeps the ninth position with ten games lost. They share it with JKL Dolphins. City Oilers' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Kampala KCCA P..
Top scorers:
Rezlife S.: C.Omanye 24+3reb+4ast, F.Kasinde 17+3reb+3ast, M.Otieno 12+3reb+2ast, E.Ssentongo 6, R.Tueny Mabor 6+2reb+2ast, K.Caleb 4
City Oilers: M.Mer 20+8reb+2ast, F.Baale 16+4reb+6ast, B.Kawumi 12+6reb+2ast, B.Komakech 8+3reb+3ast, J.Chuma 8+10reb+2ast, E.Munaba 7+7reb+4ast

Blazers - Kampala R. 60-65

Top ranked Blazers (16-2) recorded its second loss at the home court on Sunday night. Hosts were defeated by fourth ranked Kampala R. (11-7) 65-60. Kampala R. forced 21 Blazers turnovers. The best player for the winners was Brian Opio who scored 22 points and 6 rebounds. Christian Ndibu chipped in 9 points and 13 rebounds. The former international Tonny Drileba (183-1993) produced 10 points and 4 assists and the former international James Okello (193-1990) added 6 points and 6 rebounds respectively for the hosts. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Kampala R. maintains fourth place with 11-7 record. Blazers at the other side still keep top position with two games lost. Kampala R.'s supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Kampala UCU Canons.
Top scorers:
Blazers: O.Innocent 13+1reb+1ast, T.Drileba 10+3reb+4ast, J.Lukoji 8+3reb+2ast, I.Muhwezi 8+2reb+2ast, M.Mugisha 7+5reb, J.Okello 6+6reb+3ast
Kampala R.: B.Opio 22+6reb, G.Kasasa 14+2reb+2ast, M.Juf 10+5reb, C.Ndibu 9+13reb, R.Ahumuza 3+2reb, P.Kikomba 3+14reb+1ast