NBL Playoffs | Men | SF | Game 3
- Namuwongo Blazers 85-76 UCU Canons (3-0)
UCU Canons’ brave playoff run ended Sunday night as the Namuwongo Blazers battled through overtime for an 85–76 victory, sweeping their National Basketball League semifinal series at Lugogo Indoor Arena.
It was the second straight game UCU played without head coach Nicholas Natuhereza, away with the Uganda Women’s 3×3 national team.
His absence loomed large as the Canons fought to stay alive but couldn’t outlast the relentless Blazers.
The contest unfolded like a thriller. Florence Dushime’s buzzer-beating three gave UCU a 22–21 edge after the first quarter.
They held a slim 40–37 lead at halftime despite growing pressure.
Momentum flipped after the break. Marvin Jesse Okurut’s jumper closed the third with UCU suddenly down 58–51.
The Canons clawed back in the fourth, forcing overtime at 73–73 and sending their travelling Mukono fans into a frenzy.
But the extra period belonged to the Blazers. They locked down defensively, holding UCU to just three points while scoring nine to seal the win and punch their ticket to the finals.
Michael Makiadi and Peter Obleng each scored 13, with veteran guard Jimmy Enabu adding 12 to lead a balanced Blazers attack.
Jimmy Otim paced UCU with 17 points, Joel Kayira added 14, and Alier Pech Lier chipped in 13, but their efforts fell short.
The sweep shows Namuwongo’s title credentials and sends them into the National Basketball League finals brimming with confidence and already assured of representing Uganda in the Road to BAL.
