Champs Oilers up against UCU Canons jinx

KAMPALA.
It’s the series City Oilers wanted. It’s also the series UCU Canons don’t mind at all considering that they have won four straight games against the champions.

“Yes, it does (bother me),” stated Oilers coach Mandy Juruni after the regular season when asked if there was cause to worry if the two sides met in the playoffs.” “We tend to make bad decisions against them. Of course playoffs are different but you don’t want to play a team that has beaten you so many times.”

A month on from that statement, City Oilers will be itching to correct those statistics starting today as the two sides meet in the first game of the best of five semifinal series at YMCA.

With an 18-4 regular season record, City Oilers comfortably breezed 2-0 past eighth seeds Sharing Youth in their best of three quarterfinal series achieved without MVP Kami Kabange and guard Ben Komakech.

UCU, inspired by Sudi Ulanga’s shooting (averaged 23.5 points against Falcons) ejected Falcons in the series in which Desmond Owili capped his return from a year’s suspension in Sunday’s game three.

The center scored 11 points and picked eight rebounds to seal a come from behind 2-1 series win, only their second since beating Power to seasons ago. Owili, however, reckons the champions will still be favourites despite being unable to beat UCU yet.

“They are not champions by mistake and it will be risky for us to come into the series thinking about our record against them,” he cautioned.

In the women’s category, champions KCCA Leopards take on A-1 Challenge in Game One of the series. Leopards are overwhelming favourites to advance.

Today at ymca
City Oilers vs. UCU Canons, 8pm
KCCA vs. A1 Challenge, 6pm
PREVIOUS UCU-OILERS GAMES
2013 first round
UCU 52-47 City Oilers
Second round
UCU 79-59 City Oilers
2014
UCU Invitational final
UCU 77-65 City Oilers
League first round
UCU 77-72 City Oilers
Second round
UCU 74-65 City Oilers

[email protected]