Warriors get fighting chance against depleted Oilers

Fighting Chance. Stanley Mugerwa of Warriors looks to weave past a KIU Titans double-team act during Game 2 of the Fuba National Basketball League quarterfinals playoffs. Mugerwa and Co. will be seething to go one up against an injury-hit City Oilers today.

PHOTO BY ISMAIL KEZAALA

There has never been a playoff meeting between City Oilers and Warriors since the former were promoted and won the National Basketball League title in their debut season in 2013.
The highly anticipated clash starts this evening when the two teams meet in the best-of-five semi-final playoffs at the Lugogo Indoor Arena.
The Oilers come into the game having never lost a playoff series that has resulted into a record-equaling sixth league title.
They could however be at their most vulnerable after a rare lapse in planning had the team register only 13 players.
One of those is guard Robinson Odoch Opong who is ineligible after featuring only once in the regular season. Former captain Jimmy Enabu who despite featuring in game one of the quarterfinal playoffs is also expected to miss the rest of the post season after enrolling for an aviation course
The club are now hit by an injury crisis after veteran Stephen Omony joined Joanathan Egau and Nigerian import Francis Azolibe on the treatment table. Despite his opponents’ situation, Warriors coach Ronnie Mutebi was keen to play down the state of affairs.
“It looks like it is in our favour but that is where it stops. We are talking about consecutive six-time champions. Our role is to come out and try to win regardless of who is playing or not,” Mutebi stressed.
His stance also stemmed from concerns of his own with Mark Opio having returned from last weekend’s Africa 3X3 championship with an elbow problem.
Mutebi meanwhile ruled out Joanthan Kambala and rated Saidi Amisi and Michael Buzangu 50-50 going into the game.
On Wednesday, Betway Power and JKL Lady Dolphins took 1-0 leads in their best of five semifinal playoff series with 59-56 and 54-46 victories respectively.