Semifinals playoffs finely poised in NBL
Omanye (R) lays up against Oilers in the regular season. PHOTO BY ISMAIL KEZAALA
The Warriors showed anything but fight in the 62-53 Game One loss against City Oilers in their best-of-five National Basketball League playoffs last Friday.
The lack of fight could have prompted the reduction in numbers as the Warriors fought back to level the series with a convincing 68-56 Game Two victory at YMCA court on Monday evening.
It now remains to be seen if the Warriors can match the intensity displayed on Monday when the two teams meet in game three at the Lugogo Indoor Stadium this evening.
They were out of the blocks fast, taking a 14-6 first quarter lead with Chris Omanye scoring all his nine points in the first quarter.
And while the Oilers fought back getting to within three points at 18-15 midway through the second period they trailed by 12 points at the end of the quarter and by 14 at the start of the fourth period.
Mark Opio top scored for Warriors with 12 points while Gatwech Kutai added 11 and Saidi Amisi 10 as they overcame the Oilers whose front court has been stretched by injuries to Chijioke Azolibe ANS Stephen Omony.
Jimmy Enabu whose academic schedule does not allow him to train with his teammates featured again scoring a joint high 11 points alongside James Okello.
More worrying for the Oilers however is that with only nine players available, Landry Ndikumana and Josh Johnson who were restricted to six and three points are also carrying niggling injuries.
The women’s semifinal between rivals UCU Canons and KCCA Leopards appear even closer after UCU Lady Canons levelled the series at 1-1 with a 59-57 game two victory.
Rose Akon and Zainah Lokwameri led UCU scoring with 15 points apiece, the former adding 12 rebounds against KCCA Leopards for whom former Lady Canons guard Judith Nansobya scored a game high 20 points.
