Oilers look to rock Titans ship

Influential duo. City Oilers’ Stephen Omony plays defence against KIU Titans Michael Bwanga (right) during last season’s play-offs at Lugogo Indoor Stadium. PHOTO BY JOHN BATANUDDE

Kampala. The biggest opportunity to defeat City Oilers usually comes around in the regular season as we have witnessed over the past six years in the National Basketball League (NBL).
The six-time champions finished as second seeds behind Betway Power last year while KIU Titans topped the regular season standings the year before. That could offer a glimmer of hope to KIU Titans who meet the Oilers this evening at YMCA.

The Titans expectedly started the season with a win, 106-75 over newcomers Kampala University but were found wanting in the 71-60 loss to Power last time round.
Michael Bwanga led with 15 points but also made four turnovers as the Titans struggled offensively shooting 28% from the field compared to 39% for Power. The two teams last faced off in the playoff semifinals last season before the Titans succumbed to the resolute Oilers 3-1. They are again expected to compete.

The Oilers on the other hand could start the season with two wins against two of the teams expected to pose a threat to their dominance having already accounted for Power 69-66. That was followed by the 81-34 rout of newly promoted Falcons in which Tony Drileba led the Oilers with 21 points. The guard connected with five of eight shots from three point range to add to the 15 points he scored in the victory over Power.

On Wednesday, Ndejje University defeated Falcons 81-63, to subject them to their third straight loss on their return to NBL.
This was despite making more additions with Vinnie Jurua and Michael Kojo featuring for the first time this season. Samuel Ajak led with 23 points and Derrick Katumba added 17 for Ndejje who now improve to 2-1 this season.