NBL Round 24 (Regular Season): Sommet defeats leader Blazers

The games at this stage are more interesting as they can be crucial for the final standings in Regular Season. Despite we already know who is stronger and who is weaker, there may be still last minute surprises and upsets. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most surprising game was another loss of top-ranked Blazers (16-3) in Kampala on Friday night. Hosts were edged by fifth ranked Sommet (11-7) 73-70. Sommet made 19-of-25 free shots (76.0 percent) during the game. Strangely Blazers outrebounded Sommet 57-41 including a 26-7 advantage in offensive rebounds. It was a good game for forward Peter Cheng who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 15 points, 15 rebounds and 4 assists. DR Congolese Franck Nyembo (-2006) contributed with 16 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. The former international James Okello (193-1990) replied with a double-double by scoring 16 points and 14 rebounds for Blazers. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Sommet have an impressive five-game winning streak. Newly promoted Sommet maintains fifth position with 11-7 record. Blazers lost third consecutive game. They still keep top place with three 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 Livingstone.
Another interesting game was a derby match between two teams from Kampala: Kampala R. (#4) and UCU Canons (#3). Kampala R. (12-7) won against visiting UCU Canons (13-8) 72-59. Worth to mention a great performance of Mpiya Juf who helped to win the game recording 17 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists and Puati Kikomba who added 8 points, 10 rebounds and 4 blocks during the contest. The best for the losing side was international center Joel Kayira (208-2001) with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 21 rebounds. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Kampala R. moved-up to third place. UCU Canons at the other side dropped to the second position with eight games lost. Kampala R.'s supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Kampala to the arena City Oilers.
Another interesting game was again a derby between two local teams from Kampala: City Oilers (#7) and KCCA P. (#4). City Oilers (9-7) won against visiting KCCA P. (12-9) 71-62. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of KCCA P.. The winners were led by Joseph Chuma who had that evening a double-double by scoring 11 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists. Even 10 points by Emmanuel Odongkara did not help to save the game for KCCA P.. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Defending champion maintains seventh position with 9-7 record. Loser KCCA P. keeps the fourth place with nine games lost. City Oilers' supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Kampala to the arena KIU Titans.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 24: KIU Titans were beaten by JKL Dolphins on the road 71-53. UCU Canons destroyed Livingstone on its own court 79-46. Rezlife S. outscored KIU Titans in Kampala 85-56.



JKL Dolphins - KIU Titans 71-53

No shocking result in a game when ninth ranked JKL Dolphins (8-10) beat 11th ranked KIU Titans (2-17) in Kampala 71-53 on Wednesday. JKL Dolphins forced 22 KIU Titans turnovers and outrebounded them 59-39 including a 27-10 advantage in offensive rebounds. The winners were led by Kesseng Kesseng who had that evening a double-double by scoring 15 points, 23 rebounds and 4 blocks and guard Haron Alinaitwe supported him with 21 points, 7 assists and 5 steals. JKL Dolphins' coach used a ten-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. Even a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds by Hon Kwany did not help to save the game for KIU Titans. P Akuk added 10 points and 12 rebounds. JKL Dolphins maintains ninth position with 8-10 record, which they share with Rezlife S. KIU Titans lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the eleventh place with 17 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 Blazers.
Top scorers:
JKL Dolphins: H.Alinaitwe 21+2reb+7ast, K.Kesseng 15+23reb+3ast, W.Otweyo 14+8reb+2ast, K.Mesho 9+8reb, E.Bwanka 8+9reb, M.Muhindo 4+4reb+3ast
KIU Titans: H.Kwany 13+10reb+2ast, A.Olum 13+1reb, P.Akuk 10+12reb+3ast, D.Odonkyero 9+5reb+1ast, W.Saverino 5+5reb+4ast, N.Opio 3+1reb

Kampala R. - UCU Canons 72-59

Another interesting game was a derby match between two teams from Kampala: Kampala R. (#4) and UCU Canons (#3). Kampala R. (12-7) won against visiting UCU Canons (13-8) 72-59. Kampala R. forced 22 UCU Canons turnovers. Strangely UCU Canons outrebounded Kampala R. 53-40 including 16 on the offensive glass. They brought some defensive toughness making 7 blocks. Worth to mention a great performance of Mpiya Juf who helped to win the game recording 17 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists and power forward Puati Kikomba who added 8 points, 10 rebounds and 4 blocks during the contest. The best for the losing side was international center Joel Kayira (208-2001) with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 21 rebounds and Alier Jongroor scored 5 points and 10 rebounds. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Kampala R. moved-up to third place. UCU Canons at the other side dropped to the second position with eight games lost. Kampala R.'s supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Kampala to the arena City Oilers.
Top scorers:
Kampala R.: M.Juf 17+5reb+4ast, K.Kasobya 12+2reb+2ast, M.Ssekibenga 8+1ast, P.Kikomba 8+10reb+3ast, E.Mugabo 8+2reb+1ast, W.Joseph 5+3reb
UCU Canons: J.Kayira 20+21reb, L.Ibanda 9+5reb+1ast, F.Dushime 8+3reb, M.Okurut 8+2reb+2ast, J.Otim 7+4reb+3ast, A.Jongroor 5+10reb+2ast

Blazers - Sommet 70-73

The most surprising game was another loss of top-ranked Blazers (16-3) in Kampala on Friday night. Hosts were edged by fifth ranked Sommet (11-7) 73-70. Sommet made 19-of-25 free shots (76.0 percent) during the game. Strangely Blazers outrebounded Sommet 57-41 including a 26-7 advantage in offensive rebounds. It was a good game for forward Peter Cheng who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 15 points, 15 rebounds and 4 assists. DR Congolese Franck Nyembo (-2006) contributed with a double-double by scoring 16 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. The former international James Okello (193-1990) replied with a double-double by scoring 16 points and 14 rebounds and power forward Moses Mugisha (-1984) added 16 points and 8 rebounds in the effort for Blazers. Four Blazers players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Sommet have an impressive five-game winning streak. Newly promoted Sommet maintains fifth position with 11-7 record. Blazers lost third consecutive game. They still keep top place with three 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 Livingstone.
Top scorers:
Sommet: A.Sendaula 17+6reb+1ast, F.Nyembo 16+10reb+3ast, P.Cheng 15+15reb+4ast, J.Teko 9+5reb+1ast, K.Tembo 7+3reb+2ast, M.Ngobi 5
Blazers: J.Okello 16+14reb+3ast, M.Mugisha 16+8reb+2ast, P.Obleng 10+7reb+1ast, A.Wanyoto 10+11reb, J.Lukoji 9+2reb+5ast, O.Innocent 4+2reb

UCU Canons - Livingstone 79-46

Very expected game when 12th ranked Livingstone (1-16) was smashed by third ranked UCU Canons (13-8) in Kampala 79-46 on Saturday. UCU Canons held Livingstone to an opponent 21.1 percent shooting from the field compared to 39.7 percent accuracy of the winners. UCU Canons forced 22 Livingstone turnovers and outrebounded them 58-44 including a 41-29 advantage in defensive rebounds. The winners were led by Marvin Okurut who scored that evening 16 points and 6 rebounds and Jonathan Kasilimbi supported him with 13 points and 5 rebounds. Four UCU Canons players scored in double figures. Even a double-double of 20 points and 12 rebounds by Isaac Athuai did not help to save the game for Livingstone. Oscar Byomuhangi added 8 points, 5 assists and 4 steals. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. UCU Canons moved-up to second place. Livingstone lost twelfth consecutive game. They stay at the bottom position with 16 games lost. UCU Canons' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Kampala to the arena Sommet.
Top scorers:
UCU Canons: M.Okurut 16+6reb, J.Kasilimbi 13+5reb+3ast, L.Ibanda 13+4reb+2ast, S.Olara 11+4reb+2ast, T.Onyango 9+3reb, C.Raluchukwu 6+11reb+1ast
Livingstone: I.Athuai 20+12reb+1ast, O.Byomuhangi 8+4reb+5ast, D.Asiku 7+3reb+3ast, D.Otim 4+5reb+1ast, N.Denis 2, M.Kuol 2+6reb

KIU Titans - Rezlife S. 56-85

The game between closely ranked teams ended with tenth ranked Rezlife S.'s (8-10) road victory over 11th ranked KIU Titans (2-17) in Kampala 85-56 on Saturday. Rezlife S. held KIU Titans to an opponent 24.7 percent shooting from the field compared to 38.9 percent accuracy of the winners. Rezlife S. forced 24 KIU Titans turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. The winners were led by guard Micheal Otieno (193-1993) who scored that evening 15 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists and 4 steals and Francis Kasinde supported him with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Five Rezlife S. players scored in double figures. Rezlife S.'s coach felt very confident that he used entire bench and allowed the starting five to rest. Even 9 points and 22 rebounds by P Akuk did not help to save the game for KIU Titans. Hon Kwany added 17 points and 10 rebounds. Rezlife S. moved-up to ninth place, which they share with JKL Dolphins. KIU Titans lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the eleventh position with 17 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 .
Top scorers:
Rezlife S.: M.Otieno 15+7reb+8ast, R.Tueny Mabor 14+11reb+1ast, A.Kisekka 14+2reb+2ast, C.Omanye 13+2reb+5ast, F.Kasinde 12+12reb+3ast, A.Desire 6+6reb+1ast
KIU Titans: H.Kwany 17+10reb+1ast, D.Odonkyero 11+4reb+4ast, P.Akuk 9+22reb, A.Olum 6+7reb+2ast, N.Opio 6+1ast, W.Saverino 5+4reb+4ast

City Oilers - KCCA P. 71-62

Another interesting game was again a derby between two local teams from Kampala: City Oilers (#7) and KCCA P. (#4). City Oilers (9-7) won against visiting KCCA P. (12-9) 71-62. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of KCCA P.. City Oilers held KCCA P. to an opponent 25.0 percent shooting from the field compared to 41.7 percent accuracy of the winners. City Oilers forced 22 KCCA P. turnovers. The winners were led by forward Joseph Chuma (-1991) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 11 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists and the former international point guard Fayed Baale (173-2001) supported him with 18 points and 5 steals. Even 10 points by forward Emmanuel Odongkara (-1989) did not help to save the game for KCCA P.. Stephen Otoa added 7 points and 8 rebounds. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Defending champion maintains seventh position with 9-7 record. Loser KCCA P. keeps the fourth place with nine games lost. City Oilers' supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Kampala to the arena KIU Titans.
Top scorers:
City Oilers: F.Baale 18+4reb+1ast, J.Chuma 11+13reb+5ast, B.Kawumi 9+5reb+2ast, E.Munaba 8+5reb+1ast, B.Komakech 7+3reb+1ast, B.Rujumba 6+4reb
KCCA P.: D.Assimwe 10+4reb+1ast, E.Odongkara 10+3reb+3ast, J.Kavuma 8+3reb+1ast, G.Mahamba 7+2reb+1ast, S.Otoa 7+8reb+1ast, S.Mugerwa 6+8reb+2ast