13 December 2013
UGANDA : Game Seven: A fitting finale
Forward Steven ‘Dux’ Mwesigye (L) had a very good game for Falcons as they forced game seven tonight. Right is City Oilers Samuel Kalwanyi. Photo by Ismail Kezaala. KAMPALA- It felt like Falcons were always going to win Game Six after City Oilers took a 3-2 lead in the Castle Lite playoffs final series, almost inevitable.
Neither team has won two in a row. And when they won 75-63, blowing the game open in the fourth quarter on Wednesday night.
Neither team has won two in a row. And when they won 75-63, blowing the game open in the fourth quarter on Wednesday night.
Few, besides the Oilers’ handful of fans and officials, would have been disappointed as champions are more enthralling, at least to the neutrals when earned this way.
There is a Game Seven at the Lugogo MTN Arena today to decide this year’s national basketball champions, the third time in four years a decider has been needed.Coaches – Mandy Juruni (Oilers) and Gad Eteu (Falcons) – will want to preach basics and simplicity but something they cannot insert now is the will.
Juruni is sticking to what is missing. “We shall have to rebound better for us to win. Hopefully, we will be better tomorrow (today).”
Juruni is sticking to what is missing. “We shall have to rebound better for us to win. Hopefully, we will be better tomorrow (today).”
Falcons have bossed the boards for two of the last three games with margins of 44 -23, 51-41 and 39-40.
Not even a slow start to the game could keep Falcons from forcing a decider like Stephen Omony had promised after they trailed by as many as 16 in the first half.
They outscored Oilers 47-30 in the second half on the back of Abdullahi Ramadhan’s 25 points and Philip Ameny’s 17 including two electrifying dunks.
Omony only had 11 points but the nine rebounds and six assists were crucial to get his mates rolling while keeping Kami Kabangu to 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Just like Falcons restored Geoff Omondi to the team with pain-killing injections, Oilers will do the same for Ramadhan Arou who sat out Game Six.
They outscored Oilers 47-30 in the second half on the back of Abdullahi Ramadhan’s 25 points and Philip Ameny’s 17 including two electrifying dunks.
Omony only had 11 points but the nine rebounds and six assists were crucial to get his mates rolling while keeping Kami Kabangu to 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Just like Falcons restored Geoff Omondi to the team with pain-killing injections, Oilers will do the same for Ramadhan Arou who sat out Game Six.
Their inside game is hurting so bad that they only made nine visits to the free throw line against Falcons’ 32 visits on Wednesday.
We are always reminded that the team which wants it more wins but this will be about who handles the pressure in front of a capacity crowd.
THE STORY SO FAR
Game One: Oilers won the series opener 74-72 on the back of Kami Kabange’s 21 points and 11 rebounds. Falcons missed 26 of 26 free throws
Game Two: Abdullahi Ramadhan scored 30 points to spark Falcons to an 84-76 win
Game Three: Kami’s 23 first half points gave Oilers a 2-1 series lead with an 83-73 victory
Game Four: Omony scored 18 in the first quarter for Falcons to win 86-81 and tie the series. He finished with 29.
Game Five: Oilers recovered from a 14-point hole to take a 3-2 lead with 80-76 result with reserve Samuel Kalwanyi contributing 12 points and 12 boards
Game Six: Falcons came from 16 points down to win 75-63 and push this into a Game Seven
Game One: Oilers won the series opener 74-72 on the back of Kami Kabange’s 21 points and 11 rebounds. Falcons missed 26 of 26 free throws
Game Two: Abdullahi Ramadhan scored 30 points to spark Falcons to an 84-76 win
Game Three: Kami’s 23 first half points gave Oilers a 2-1 series lead with an 83-73 victory
Game Four: Omony scored 18 in the first quarter for Falcons to win 86-81 and tie the series. He finished with 29.
Game Five: Oilers recovered from a 14-point hole to take a 3-2 lead with 80-76 result with reserve Samuel Kalwanyi contributing 12 points and 12 boards
Game Six: Falcons came from 16 points down to win 75-63 and push this into a Game Seven
# posted by afrbk : 16:31
