Sommet Basketball Club booked their place in the semifinals of the 2025 National Basketball League Playoffs after completing a dominant 75-58 win over KCCA Panthers at Lugogo Indoor Arena on Sunday evening.
The victory, Sommet’s second in the best-of-three series, sealed a 2-0 sweep. Nyembo Fataki and John Focus Teko led the charge with double-doubles, each scoring 15 points and grabbing 12 and 10 rebounds respectively.
Head coach Albert Aciko praised his team’s energy and defensive discipline but warned that tougher challenges lie ahead.
“We knew what KCCA would bring, so we had to be aggressive and stay tight on defense,” Aciko said.
“We forced them into tough shots and capitalized on their misses. I’m proud of the boys, but the semifinals will demand even more from us.”
Despite the commanding win, Aciko admitted Sommet must improve defensively.
“Our transition defense is bad, we relax when we’re ahead,” he said.
“Against teams like JT Jaguars, Namuwongo Blazers, or City Oilers, we must stay sharp and execute better.”
Aciko credited team chemistry and communication as key to the victory.
“The teamwork was amazing; everyone understood each other,” he noted.
“Every possession counted, and those threes we hit gave us momentum. Expect even more energy in the semifinals.”
Sommet now prepares for a sterner test against one of the league’s heavyweights in the next round.
Meanwhile, KCCA Panthers are reportedly considering petitioning the league over the eligibility of Sommet guard Tembo Kasereka, who allegedly played in two DR Congo league games during the AfroBasket break without clearance.
