Basketball in Africa

Kami Kabange and Ramadan Arou of City Oilers look on as UCU’s Desmond Owili goes for the basket during the second semi-final playoffs at the MTN Arena Lugogo. PHOTO BY ISMAIL KEZAALAKampala- What if the weather had not intervened? Why did UCU Canon and City Oilers not wait for the YMCA court to dry up? Why wasn’y the MTN Arena not available for a sporting activity like it is today?

Those and more could be some of the questions many basketball followers have been asking themselves since Wednesday.

For rain washed out what would have been the first of three opportunities UCU Canons have to clinch the best of five semifinal series against City Oilers.

UCU lead the series 2-0 after Sunday’s 61-56 win over the champions.
With the court drying up after a heavy evening downpour, the final decision was taken by the management of both teams to have the game postponed.

UCU coach Nick Natuhereza though was not pleased with the decision that sees Game Three being replayed today at the Lugogo MTN arena.

“It leaves the team that progresses from our series at a disadvantage considering that we would play Games Four and Five on consecutive days,” he argued.

“Which is why we are hoping to close out the series today,” he added.
A day’s rest though will have come in handy in the short run for City Oilers particularly guard Ben Komakech who has been struggling with knee trouble.
“We would obviously miss him a lot because of his contribution to our offensive game,” Oilers guard Omondi explained.

Omondi also believes the postponement offers less excuses for the champions that have to win three straight games to return to the final.

“You obviously want to go into such kind of a game with no excuses about the surface and players worrying about getting injured,” he said.

NATIONAL BASKETBALL LEAGUE PLAYOFFS AT MTN ARENA- LUGOGO

SEMIFINALS – GAME THREE
MEN: UCU vs Oilers (8pm)
WOMEN: KCCA vs .A1 Challenge
(UCU, KCCA lead series 2-0)

essenono@ug.nationmedia.com