Basketball in Africa

KAMPALA. On an occasion to showcase the game to Linglong, as Fuba chase another sponsorship deal with the Chinese tyre company, Stephen Omony shined as the Silverbacks edged City Oilers 88-87 at Lugogo on Tuesday night.

The national team captain scored a joint game-high 26 points including a buzzer beating three-pointer from downtown to close out the second quarter on an evening of 6 for 11 shooting from behind the arc. That earned him an ovation from the Chinese dignitaries that included the tyre company’s president Feng Wang and the capacity crowd at the MTN Arena, Lugogo.
The Silverbacks eventually held on for victory and a Shs1.2m cash prize despite guard Tony Drilleba’s efforts. The league champions converted five of their last six free throws including all three by Drilleba, who finished with 17 points as they trailed by one point with eight seconds on the clock.
Kami Kabange, who missed one of his final three attempts from similar range, led the Oilers with 26 points.

“The game was a success and our guests were impressed by what they saw. We now await their official response on the sponsorship deal,” Fuba president Ambrose Tashobya remarked. The federation is searching for sponsors early enough to aid preparations for the Zone V tournament later this year.
The two parties in 2014 also signed a similar agreement that saw Linglong support the Silverbacks with $50,000 (about Shs125m then) prior to the zonal tournament.