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Road to BAL: Two in two for City Oilers

Petty Parrish led City Oilers’ offense against Matero Magic, scoring 20 points to help the team record a second straight victory. PHOTO/COURTESY 

By  EMANZI NDYAMUHAKI

What you need to know:

What started as an even contest in the first half ended with the 10-time National Basketball League champions winning by 20 points following big performances from the team’s new recruits.

City Oilers have started their Road To BAL campaign in perfect form and are on course to top Group B in the ongoing East Division Elite 16 in Nairobi, Kenya.

Having started the tournament with a commanding 77-47 win over South Sudan’s Fox Basketball, the Ugandan champions recorded a second straight win on Friday, defeating Zambia’s Matero Magic to remain unbeaten and in contention for top spot.

What started as an even contest in the first half ended with the 10-time National Basketball League champions winning by 20 points following big performances from the team’s new recruits.

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The Zambian opponents, led by Saul Phiri and Donovan Jones, mounted a comeback in the third frame but Oilers got stretches of great offence to close the contest and by the time the final buzzer sounded, Oilers rotation had stretched to the likes of debutant Waleed Omar, who isolated his defender and banked his first bucket of the competition.

Phiri and Jones contributed 20 and 19 points respectively but these were insufficient as Oilers left the flow with the win and ended Magic’s hopes of reaching the semis.

Petty Parrish led Oilers’ offense on the day, pouring in 20 points while Falando Jones added 16 on the day.

Israel Otobo recorded a double-double of 13 points and 15 rebounds while Mer Maker also got 13 points. Team captain Ivan Muhwezi came off the bench to score 12 points.

Only gets tougher

With the two victories, the Ugandan champions are second on the log, behind Burundian side Urunani, who have already defeated Matero Magic and Fox Basketball.

The teams will have a day off on Saturday before returning for the last group games on Sunday, and it is from there that Oilers will discover their next challenge.

Andrew Tendo’s charges will face Urunani in their third and final group game, with the winner finishing top of Group B ahead of the highly-anticipated semifinals.

Winners from the two semifinal clashes will book tickets to Season Five of the Basketball Africa League.

Road To BAL

City Oilers’ results

City Oilers 77-47 Fox Basketball

Matero Magic 73-93 City Oilers

Next fixture

Sunday

City Oilers vs. Urunani, 3pm


 

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