National Basketball League | Final | Men | Game 3
- Namuwongo Blazers 80-70 City Oilers
Peter Obleng came off the bench to deliver a game-changing performance as Namuwongo Blazers beat City Oilers 80â70 on Tuesday night at the Lugogo Indoor Arena, cutting the National Basketball League Finals deficit to 2â1.
Obleng was unstoppable, dropping 20 points and grabbing nine rebounds to lift the Blazers in a must-win contest.
His energy and composure in the final quarter kept the teamâs championship hopes alive in the best-of-seven series.
The opening quarter ended 24â24 after a fast-paced exchange, with Innocent Ochera shining for the Blazers and Chad Bowie leading the Oilersâ charge.
The Oilers edged ahead 44â42 at halftime after capitalizing on Blazersâ turnovers.
After the break, Namuwongo tightened their defence and dictated the tempo.
Oblengâs back-to-back baskets midway through the third quarter opened up an eight-point lead their largest of the night, before Kurt Curryâs jumper cut it to three heading into the fourth.
In the closing period, the Blazers finally found the composure they had lacked in the earlier games.
Smarter ball movement and the steady defensive presence of Tonny Drileba sealed the 10-point win, sparking wild celebrations in the stands.
Arthur Wanyoto (18 points) and Anthony Chukwubuka Chukwurah (14) backed Oblengâs heroics, while Mer Maker (20), Kurt Wegscheider (18), and Bowie (17) led the scoring for the Oilers.
The victory breathes new life into the series as the Blazers aim to level it when Game Four tips off on Friday.
