NBL Round 28 (Regular Season): Blazers keep a leadership position

The games are now more important than at the beginning of the Regular Season. We may still expect few shocking results in upcoming 4 rounds. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Blazers as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Blazers smashed their close opponent City Oilers in Kampala 76-50. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. Blazers forced 20 City Oilers turnovers and outrebounded them 48-33 including a 36-24 advantage in defensive rebounds. Blazers looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of DR Congolese forward Franck Nyembo (200-2006) who helped to win the game recording 12 points and 9 rebounds and the former international James Okello (193-1990) who added 10 points and 9 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side the former international point guard Fayed Baale (173-2001) responded with 11 points and 5 assists. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. As mentioned above they are alone now at the top position. City Oilers at the other side still keep top place with two games lost. City Oilers will play next round against JKL Dolphins trying to get back on the winning streak. It will be a derby game for which supporters look forward to, where their team will face at home their local rival from Kampala - JKL Dolphins. Blazers will try to continue on its current victory against sixth ranked Sommet. It will be extra interesting game as Sommet is their local rival from Kampala.
Another interesting game was a derby match between two teams from Kampala: City Oilers (#2) and Jaguars (#8). Despite it looked like an easy game for City Oilers, those rules do not exist in derby games. It's more the case of honor for local supporters and such games have that special and unique approach you cannot find in other games. Guest Jaguars challenged much higher ranked City Oilers giving them a very tough game, but finally losing it by six points 59-53. The winners were led by international center Joel Kayira (208-2001) who scored that evening 19 points and 8 rebounds (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field) and Titus Lual supported him with 6 points and 15 rebounds. City Oilers' coach allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. Even 16 points and 22 rebounds by center Peter Sifuma (-1996) did not help to save the game for Jaguars. City Oilers (17-2) keep a position of league leader. Jaguars at the other side keep the eighth place with 11 games lost. City Oilers' supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Kampala JKL Dolphins.
Third ranked Rezlife S. (14-4) crushed at home 11th ranked UPDF (3-14) by 27 points 72-45, which is the biggest margin this round on Saturday night. Elvis Ssentongo fired 17 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. Moris Okello produced 11 points and 4 steals for lost side. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Rezlife S. have an impressive five-game winning streak. They maintain third position with 14-4 record having four points less than leader City Oilers. UPDF lost sixth consecutive game. Newly promoted team keeps the eleventh place with 14 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 Kampala R..

There were no shocking results in the other games in round 28: JKL Dolphins lost to Sommet on the opponent's court 93-98. Bottom-ranked Kampala R. was outscored by Victoria Crocs in a home game 58-82. UMU recorded a loss to UCU Canons on the road 72-55. UPDF was defeated by Sommet on its own court 63-70. KCCA P. beat UMU in Kampala 58-54.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 17 points and 8 rebounds by Wankoak Gatwech Koang of UMU.



Rezlife S. - UPDF 72-45

Third ranked Rezlife S. (14-4) crushed at home 11th ranked UPDF (3-14) by 27 points 72-45, which is the biggest margin this round on Saturday night. Rezlife S. held UPDF to an opponent 21.2 percent shooting from the field compared to 36.8 percent accuracy of the winners. Rezlife S. forced 28 UPDF turnovers and outrebounded them 51-38 including 17 on the offensive glass. Guard Elvis Ssentongo (-1999) fired 17 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. Suka Fadul chipped in 11 points and 6 rebounds. Moris Okello produced 11 points and 4 steals and Bolton Rujumba added 8 points and 6 rebounds respectively for lost side. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Rezlife S. have an impressive five-game winning streak. They maintain third position with 14-4 record having four points less than leader City Oilers. UPDF lost sixth consecutive game. Newly promoted team keeps the eleventh place with 14 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 Kampala R..
Top scorers:
UPDF: O.Moris 11+4reb+1ast, H.Okoth 10+4reb, R.Bolton 8+6reb, K.Benjamin 4+4reb+1ast, M.Amos 4+2reb+2ast, I.Joel 3+3reb+3ast
Rezlife S.: E.Ssentongo 17+8reb+2ast, S.Fadul 11+6reb, E.Okot 11+3reb+1ast, C.Omanye 10+4ast, E.Ekau 9+4reb+2ast, H.Kwany 5+8reb+2ast

Sommet - JKL Dolphins 98-93

Rather expected game in Kampala where 9th ranked JKL Dolphins (5-14) were defeated by sixth ranked Sommet (10-8) 98-93 on Saturday. Sommet dominated down low during the game scoring 80 of its points in the paint compared to JKL Dolphins' 50. Sommet forced 21 JKL Dolphins turnovers and outrebounded them 73-42 including a 31-16 advantage in offensive rebounds. Sommet looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists. Power forward Puati Kikomba fired a double-double by scoring 21 points, 17 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. Mathew Kisakye (-2006) chipped in 19 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Sommet's coach used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. Kenneth Mesho produced a double-double by scoring 19 points and 19 rebounds and Saasita Martin added 21 points and 6 rebounds respectively for lost side. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Sommet maintains sixth position with 10-8 record. JKL Dolphins lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the ninth place with 14 games lost. Sommet's 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:
JKL Dolphins: M.Saasita 21+6reb+2ast, M.Kenneth 19+19reb+3ast, H.Sentamu 15+2reb+4ast, B.Shane 13+4reb+3ast, A.Haron 9+4reb+8ast, O.Wilson 7
Sommet: P.Kikomba 21+17reb+5ast, M.Kisakye 19+7reb+4ast, D.Thuok 18+6reb+3ast, D.Ainembabazi 14+12reb+4ast, M.Mayanja 7+3reb, J.Chuma 7+9reb+6ast

Kampala R. - Victoria Crocs 58-82

Very predictable result when seventh ranked Victoria Crocs (9-9) smashed on the road bottom-ranked Kampala R. (2-16) 82-58 on Saturday. Victoria Crocs dominated down low during the game scoring 58 of its points in the paint compared to Kampala R.'s 32. Victoria Crocs looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists comparing to just 11 passes made by Kampala R.'s players. Mark Ngobi fired 28 points for the winners. Cedric Alema chipped in 14 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists. Victoria Crocs' coach felt very confident that he used entire bench and allowed the starting five to rest. Guard Gideon Kasasa (-1998) produced a double-double by scoring 13 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists and Francis Kasinde added 18 points and 8 rebounds respectively for lost side. Victoria Crocs have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain seventh position with 9-9 record. Kampala R. lost twelfth consecutive game. They stay at the bottom place with 16 games lost. Victoria Crocs' 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:
Kampala R.: K.Francis 18+8reb, K.Gideon 13+10reb+6ast, R.Adol 10+8reb+2ast, O.Brian 8+7reb+1ast, W.Ibrahim 4+1reb+1ast, M.Edward 3+7reb+1ast
Victoria Crocs: M.Ngobi 28+2reb+3ast, W.Sefero 15+4reb, C.Alema 14+6reb+6ast, C.Nyuot 8+4reb+2ast, A.Eboyu 6+4reb+3ast, R.Ayume 4+4reb+1ast

UCU Canons - UMU 72-55

Not a big story in a game in Kampala where 10th ranked UMU (4-15) was defeated by fourth ranked UCU Canons (12-7) 72-55 on Saturday. UCU Canons had a 38-27 advantage in offensive rebounds. Jimmy Otim (-1999) fired 20 points and 4 assists for the winners. Chiedozie Raluchukwu chipped in 7 points and 10 rebounds. Joshua Duallo (-1998) produced 17 points and 8 rebounds and Otuko John added 10 points and 13 rebounds respectively for lost side. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. UCU Canons have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain fourth position with 12-7 record. UMU lost fourth consecutive game. Newly promoted team keeps the tenth place with 15 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
UMU: D.Joshua 17+8reb+2ast, J.Otuko 10+13reb, G.Koang Wankoak 8+4reb+5ast, A.Agot 8+2reb+1ast, K.Paul 5+3ast, R.Brian 4+3reb+1ast
UCU Canons: J.Otim 20+3reb+4ast, D.Muganzi 9+3reb+1ast, J.Lihumi 9+5reb+2ast, D.Majok 8+3reb+1ast, C.Raluchukwu 7+10reb+1ast, J.Kasilimbi 5+2reb+1ast

City Oilers - Blazers 50-76

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Blazers as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Blazers smashed their close opponent City Oilers in Kampala 76-50. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. Blazers forced 20 City Oilers turnovers and outrebounded them 48-33 including a 36-24 advantage in defensive rebounds. Blazers looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of DR Congolese forward Franck Nyembo (200-2006) who helped to win the game recording 12 points and 9 rebounds and the former international James Okello (193-1990) who added 10 points and 9 rebounds during the contest. Four Blazers players scored in double figures. At the losing side the former international point guard Fayed Baale (173-2001) responded with 11 points and 5 assists and Burundian forward Landry Ndikumana (198-1995) scored 8 points and 7 rebounds. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. As mentioned above they are alone now at the top position. City Oilers at the other side still keep top place with two games lost. City Oilers will play next round against JKL Dolphins trying to get back on the winning streak. It will be a derby game for which supporters look forward to, where their team will face at home their local rival from Kampala - JKL Dolphins. Blazers will try to continue on its current victory against sixth ranked Sommet. It will be extra interesting game as Sommet is their local rival from Kampala.
Top scorers:
City Oilers: B.Fayed 11+4reb+5ast, M.Edgar 9+2reb, K.Joel 8+5reb, L.Titus 8+2reb+2ast, N.Landry 8+7reb+2ast, D.Malual 3+1reb+2ast
Blazers: F.Nyembo 12+9reb+3ast, A.Wanyoto 12+6reb+3ast, J.Okello 10+9reb+3ast, T.Drileba 10+4reb+7ast, P.Obleng 9+8reb+4ast, J.Enabu 8+2reb+1ast

UPDF - Sommet 63-70

Everything went according to plan in Kampala where sixth ranked Sommet (10-8) beat 11th ranked UPDF (3-14) 70-63 on Sunday. Mathew Kisakye (-2006) fired 20 points for the winners. British point guard Darren Ainembabazi (183-2001, college: Point Park) chipped in 17 points and 5 rebounds. Odhiambo Austin produced 21 points and 6 rebounds and Peter Akok added 12 points and 9 rebounds respectively for lost side. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Sommet maintains sixth position with 10-8 record. UPDF lost sixth consecutive game. Newly promoted team keeps the eleventh place with 14 games lost. Sommet's 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:
UPDF: A.Odhiambo 21+6reb+2ast, D.Bang 15+2reb, A.Peter 12+9reb, I.Joel 5+9reb+4ast, J.Martin 4+3reb+2ast, K.Kevin 3+3reb+1ast
Sommet: M.Kisakye 20+4reb+3ast, D.Ainembabazi 17+5reb+1ast, J.Teko 12+4reb+1ast, P.Kikomba 7+13reb+1ast, P.Cheng 4+5reb+1ast, A.Sendaula 4+1reb+1ast

City Oilers - Jaguars 59-53

Another interesting game was a derby match between two teams from Kampala: City Oilers (#2) and Jaguars (#8). Despite it looked like an easy game for City Oilers, those rules do not exist in derby games. It's more the case of honor for local supporters and such games have that special and unique approach you cannot find in other games. Guest Jaguars challenged much higher ranked City Oilers giving them a very tough game, but finally losing it by six points 59-53. The winners were led by international center Joel Kayira (208-2001) who scored that evening 19 points and 8 rebounds (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field) and Sudanese center Titus Lual (201-1998) supported him with 6 points and 15 rebounds. City Oilers' coach allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. Even 16 points and 22 rebounds by center Peter Sifuma (-1996) did not help to save the game for Jaguars. Bwana Victor added 11 points for lost side. City Oilers (17-2) keep a position of league leader. Jaguars at the other side keep the eighth place with 11 games lost. City Oilers' supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Kampala JKL Dolphins.
Top scorers:
Jaguars: S.Peter 16+22reb+2ast, V.Bwana 11+4reb, L.Ian 8+2reb+3ast, A.Elijah 7+3reb, F.Chuma 4+4reb+4ast, C.Abraham 4+6reb
City Oilers: J.Kayira 19+8reb, F.Baale 13+5reb+3ast, T.Lual 6+15reb+2ast, J.Lukoji 5+2reb+2ast, E.Munaba 5+1reb, K.Jonathan 4+7reb+2ast

UMU - KCCA P. 54-58

There was no surprise in Kampala where 10th ranked UMU (4-15) was defeated by fifth ranked KCCA P. (11-7) 58-54 on Sunday. Stanley Mugerwa fired 14 points for the winners. Guard Davis Assimwe chipped in 12 points. Wankoak Gatwech Koang produced 17 points and 8 rebounds and Agot Agot added 8 points and 6 rebounds respectively for lost side. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. KCCA P. have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain fifth position with 11-7 record. UMU lost fourth consecutive game. Newly promoted team keeps the tenth place 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 Sommet.
Top scorers:
UMU: G.Koang Wankoak 17+8reb+2ast, D.Joshua 10+4reb, A.Agot 8+6reb+1ast, B.Mark 6, J.Otuko 6+2reb, G.Gordon Kong 4+1reb
KCCA P.: S.Mugerwa 14+4reb+1ast, D.Assimwe 12+2reb+3ast, I.Samati 10+2reb, C.Kizito 7+3reb+1ast, D.Lukusa 4+3reb, O.Waleed 4+3reb+2ast