The Namuwongo Blazers kicked off their title defence on a high note with a 73–67 victory over their arch-rivals, the City Oilers, in Game 1 of the NBL Finals.
The 2025 Champions surged out of the gate with intense energy in the opening quarter. Though that momentum dipped in the fourth quarter, allowing a late Oilers resurgence that brought the game close, Namuwongo held on to secure the opening win.
Seasoned point guard Tonny Drileba delivered a Player of the Match performance, sinking two crucial buzzer-beaters at the end of the first and second quarters to give the Blazers a comfortable halftime cushion.
On the other end, the night’s standout story was Oilers star Patrick Rembert. Playing nearly every minute of the game, Rembert poured in a game-high 28 points to keep his team within striking distance. However, his heroic effort wasn’t quite enough to push the Oilers over the top. Disappointed Oilers fans were left frustrated by muted performances from key veterans, including Titus Lual, Fayed Baale, and 2025 Season MVP Joel Lukoji, all of whom struggled to make an impact.
By contrast, the Blazers enjoyed balanced scoring contributions from Nyembo Fataki (18 points) and Innocent Ochera (15 points), whose timely shots kept the scoreboard ticking when the Oilers pressed.
With the series now at 1–0, the Nam Blazers have taken a firm first step toward defending their championship.
Up Next: Game 2 of the NBL Finals tips off this Friday at 8:00 PM at the Lugogo Indoor Arena.
