National Basketball League | Finals | Men | Game 5
- Namuwongo Blazers Vs City Oilers | 6 pm
With series tied on 2-2, Namuwongo Blazers will aim to seize the upper hand in the National Basketball League Finals when they take on defending champions City Oilers in Game 5 on Sunday at the Lugogo Indoor Arena.
The Blazers have staged an impressive comeback after a shaky start, bouncing back from two opening losses to level the best of seven series at 2-2.
Victories in Game 3 (80-70) and Game Four (71-64) have reignited their championship ambitions and set up a tantalizing clash with the 10-time league champions.
In Tuesday’s Game Four, Tonny Drilleba spearheaded the Blazers with 15 points, supported by Ivan Muhwezi and Joel Lukoji, who contributed 11 and 10 points respectively.
However it all comes with experience with what was potrayed in Game 1 and 2, the calmness and organization was missing despite the presence of Jimmy Enabu and James Okello.
But the introduction of Drilleba on the pitch, drifted a lot into the Blazers face and Game 4 was a tip of what he can do with his mentality and person who has been on the same stage for years.
For The Oilers, led by Chad Bowie and Kurt-Curry Wegscheider with 21 and 20 points, but struggled beyond their starters, with the bench producing just four points compared to the Blazers’ 24.
Poor shooting from deep and 22 costly turnovers further compounded their woes in Game 4 but all this reflects to what they had throughout the regular season without both Chad and Kurt-Curry.
The two have visibly lifted the team throughout the series Chad taking charge of Game 1 with a game high 29 points and Kurt- Curry 37 in Game 2 (all won by Oilers) with some support from veteran Ben Komakech.
Same surfaced in Game 3 which they lost but Managed Kurt- Curry (18) and Chad (17) in that line, something Andrew Tendo will hope to change in Game 5 and contribute on the board as a collective force.
With momentum firmly on Nam Blazers side and the home crowd roaring behind them, the Namuwongo side will fancy their chances of taking a 3-2 series lead.
A win on Sunday would leave them just one victory away from clinching their first-ever NBL title, just like the Oilers who are searching for their 11th in a row.
