NBL Round 20 (Regular Season): Rezlife S. keep a leadership position

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game had a very big importance for third-ranked Rezlife S. as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Rezlife S. defeated second-ranked City Oilers in Kampala 62-48. Rezlife S. held City Oilers to an opponent 24.6 percent shooting from the field compared to 30.8 percent accuracy of the winners. Worth to mention a great performance of Edrine Ekau (-2006) who helped to win the game recording 25 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists and guard Micheal Otieno (193-1993) who added 10 points and 11 rebounds during the contest. International center Joel Kayira (208-2001) responded with a double-double by scoring 10 points and 10 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Rezlife S. have a solid four-game winning streak. As mentioned above they are alone now at the top position. City Oilers at the other side still keep top place with one game lost. They share the position with Blazers.
Another interesting game was a derby match between two teams from Kampala: Blazers (#2) and Jaguars (#7). Blazers (10-1) smashed visiting Jaguars (5-6) by 20 points 82-62. The winners were led by DR Congolese forward Franck Nyembo (200-2006) who scored that evening 19 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists and Ivan Muhwezi supported him with 16 points and 6 rebounds. Even a double-double of 20 points and 10 rebounds by Abraham Chuol did not help to save the game for Jaguars. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Blazers have an impressive ten-game winning streak. Defending champion used an opportunity after City Oilers lost their game and moved up joining them at the top position. Jaguars at the other side keep the seventh place with six games lost. They share the position with Victoria Crocs.
Another interesting game was again a derby between two local teams from Kampala: Rezlife S. (#3) and Jaguars (#7). Jaguars were defeated at home 55-63 and even the fact of playing on their own court did not help. The best player for the winners was Edrine Ekau who scored 24 points and 7 rebounds. Peter Sifuma produced 13 points and 8 rebounds for the hosts. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Rezlife S. have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain third position with 9-2 record behind leader City Oilers. Loser Jaguars keep the seventh place with six games lost. They share the position with Victoria Crocs.

There were no shocking results in the other games in round 20: JKL Dolphins lost to UPDF on the opponent's court 62-70. Kampala R. was outscored by UCU Canons in a home game 52-82. UCU Canons recorded a loss to City Oilers on the road 72-57.



UPDF - JKL Dolphins 70-62

There was a minor upset in Kampala where 9th ranked JKL Dolphins (2-9) were defeated by twelfth ranked UPDF (2-8) 70-62 on Wednesday. UPDF held JKL Dolphins to an opponent 25.0 percent shooting from the field compared to 40.8 percent accuracy of the winners. UPDF looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. The best player for the winners was Joel Icumar who scored 10 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists and 6 steals. Godwin Muhamireho chipped in 14 points and 5 rebounds. Kenneth Mesho produced a double-double by scoring 12 points and 17 rebounds and guard Haron Alinaitwe added 14 points and 5 steals respectively for the guests. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. UPDF moved-up to ninth place. JKL Dolphins lost fifth consecutive game. They dropped to the tenth position with nine games lost. They share it with UMU and Kampala R..
Top scorers:
UPDF: K.Kasobya 14+4reb+4ast, G.Muhamireho 14+5reb+3ast, J.Icumar 10+8reb+8ast, M.Janvier 9+4reb, P.Akok 7+4reb+1ast, B.Kyazze 6+6reb+1ast
JKL Dolphins: A.Haron 14+4reb+3ast, M.Kenneth 12+17reb+1ast, H.Sentamu 10+3reb+2ast, C.Fred 8+6reb+3ast, B.Shane 5, O.Gabriel 5+2reb+2ast

Kampala R. - UCU Canons 52-82

Rather predictable result when sixth ranked UCU Canons (5-5) smashed on the road 10th ranked Kampala R. (2-9) 82-52 on Wednesday. UCU Canons dominated down low during the game scoring 48 of its points in the paint compared to Kampala R.'s 18. UCU Canons forced 19 Kampala R. turnovers and outrebounded them 59-14 including a 18-2 advantage in offensive rebounds. The best player for the winners was Jimmy Otim (-1999) who scored 16 points and 4 steals. Chiedozie Raluchukwu chipped in 8 points and 9 rebounds. UCU Canons' coach felt very confident that he used entire bench saving starting five for next games. Brian Opio produced 14 points and 5 steals and Micheal Ssekibenga added 9 points and 4 assists respectively for the hosts. UCU Canons maintains sixth position with 5-5 record. Kampala R. lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the tenth place with nine games lost. They share the position with UMU and JKL Dolphins.
Top scorers:
UCU Canons: J.Otim 16+4reb+2ast, M.Okurut 14+1reb, C.Raluchukwu 8+9reb+2ast, E.Zachariah 8+5reb+3ast, S.Olara 8+3reb+2ast, N.Okidi 7+2reb+1ast
Kampala R.: O.Brian 14+4reb+2ast, K.Shafik 11+2reb+1ast, S.Micheal 9+2reb+4ast, A.Roxine 9+1reb+3ast, K.Gideon 3+3reb+2ast, J.Wacha 3+2reb+1ast

Blazers - Jaguars 82-62

Another interesting game was a derby match between two teams from Kampala: Blazers (#2) and Jaguars (#7). Blazers (10-1) smashed visiting Jaguars (5-6) by 20 points 82-62. Blazers forced 19 Jaguars turnovers. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 27 assists. The winners were led by DR Congolese forward Franck Nyembo (200-2006) who scored that evening 19 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists and the former international Ivan Muhwezi (182-1998) supported him with 16 points and 6 rebounds. Even a double-double of 20 points and 10 rebounds by Abraham Chuol did not help to save the game for Jaguars. Center Peter Sifuma (-1996) added 8 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists for the guests. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Blazers have an impressive ten-game winning streak. Defending champion used an opportunity after City Oilers lost their game and moved up joining them at the top position. Jaguars at the other side keep the seventh place with six games lost. They share the position with Victoria Crocs.
Top scorers:
Blazers: F.Nyembo 19+6reb+4ast, I.Muhwezi 16+6reb+3ast, M.Mugisha 9+8reb+3ast, P.Obleng 7+1reb+1ast, W.Blair 7+2reb, T.Drileba 6+6reb+8ast
Jaguars: C.Abraham 20+10reb+3ast, S.Peter 8+9reb+4ast, A.Elijah 7+1ast, K.Abubakah 6+2reb+1ast, L.Ian 6+4reb+8ast, F.Chuma 5+2reb

City Oilers - Rezlife S. 48-62

The game had a very big importance for third-ranked Rezlife S. as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Rezlife S. defeated second-ranked City Oilers in Kampala 62-48. Rezlife S. held City Oilers to an opponent 24.6 percent shooting from the field compared to 30.8 percent accuracy of the winners. Worth to mention a great performance of Edrine Ekau (-2006) who helped to win the game recording 25 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists and guard Micheal Otieno (193-1993) who added 10 points and 11 rebounds during the contest. International center Joel Kayira (208-2001) responded with a double-double by scoring 10 points and 10 rebounds and Malual Dier scored 10 points and 5 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Rezlife S. have a solid four-game winning streak. As mentioned above they are alone now at the top position. City Oilers at the other side still keep top place with one game lost. They share the position with Blazers.
Top scorers:
Rezlife S.: E.Ekau 25+8reb+4ast, H.Kwany 11+5reb+5ast, M.Otieno 10+11reb+3ast, S.Fadul 7+7reb, J.Maiba 4+3reb+1ast, D.Ajang 2+1reb+1ast
City Oilers: D.Malual 10+5reb, K.Joel 10+10reb, B.Fayed 8+3reb+3ast, N.Landry 5+5reb, A.Isaac 5+3reb, K.Benjamin 3+3reb+2ast

Jaguars - Rezlife S. 55-63

Another interesting game was again a derby between two local teams from Kampala: Rezlife S. (#3) and Jaguars (#7). Jaguars were defeated at home 55-63 and even the fact of playing on their own court did not help. The best player for the winners was Edrine Ekau (-2006) who scored 24 points and 7 rebounds. Hon Kwany chipped in 10 points and 7 rebounds. Center Peter Sifuma (-1996) produced 13 points and 8 rebounds and Ian Lubwama added 16 points respectively for the hosts. Four Jaguars players scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Rezlife S. have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain third position with 9-2 record behind leader City Oilers. Loser Jaguars keep the seventh place with six games lost. They share the position with Victoria Crocs.
Top scorers:
Rezlife S.: E.Ekau 24+7reb+1ast, H.Kwany 10+7reb, S.Fadul 5+4reb, D.Ajang 4+2reb+2ast, J.Maiba 4+6reb, M.Otieno 4+5reb+5ast
Jaguars: L.Ian 16+4reb+3ast, S.Peter 13+8reb+2ast, O.George 11+2reb+3ast, C.Abraham 10+3reb, M.John 3+2reb+1ast, W.George 2+2reb

City Oilers - UCU Canons 72-57

Not a big story in a game in Kampala where 6th ranked UCU Canons (5-5) were defeated by second ranked City Oilers (10-1) 72-57 on Sunday. City Oilers forced 20 UCU Canons turnovers. The best player for the winners was international center Joel Kayira (208-2001) who had a double-double by scoring 19 points and 16 rebounds. Sudanese center Titus Lual (201-1998) chipped in 11 points and 4 assists. Four City Oilers players scored in double figures. Jimmy Otim (-1999) produced 20 points and Jimmy Lihumi added 7 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists respectively for the guests. City Oilers keep a position of league leader, which they share with Blazers. Loser UCU Canons keep the sixth place with five games lost.
Top scorers:
City Oilers: J.Kayira 19+16reb+1ast, E.Munaba 14+2reb+3ast, M.Dier 12+4reb+1ast, T.Lual 11+4reb+4ast, A.Ssenkubuge 8+3reb+5ast, I.Athuai 5+4reb+3ast
UCU Canons: O.Jimmy 20+4reb+3ast, J.Alier 8+7reb, D.Flore 7+2ast, M.Daniel 7+2reb+2ast, L.Jimmy 7+7reb+5ast, Z.Ekirapa 5+7reb+1ast