Betway Power will again have to wait another year to add to their five
National Basketball League titles.
This is after a third final against
City Oilers in the last five years slipped out of their hands following Wednesday evening’s 81-73 game five result.
The result sealed a 4-1 win in the best-of-seven series for the Oilers who have now won six straight league titles to equal Falcon’s haul as the most successful men’s teams.
“We need to match up to the Oilers in all departments in terms on off the court. Unless we do that they will continue winning,” Isaac Afidra opined after the game five result.
The veteran forward has surprisingly been a peripheral figure in these finals for the Arnold “Mchuda” Lando coached side but showed his experience scoring 11 points in 18 minutes of game five.
Power knowing that only a win would keep the series alive, started aggressively edging the opening three quarters 20-17, 23-21 and 17-15.
Paul Odong who led with 13 points gave Power a 67-59 advantage with just over six minutes in the final period before the Oilers composure again proved decisive.
They used a 22-6 run in the final six minutes playing a 3-2 zonal defense to help overturn the result.
“We lacked the composure in the final two minutes to close out the game,” Odong offered.
Stephen Wundi and Geoffrey were the other scorers of note contributing 11 and 10 points for Power.
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Jimmy Enabu played a decisive role in the result scoring 11 of his team high 18 points in crunch time to build on Josh Johnson’s 17 and James Okello’s 16 the two other players who should also be in the running for the MVP award.
“Power made it very difficult for us but despite their athleticism I thought we had an edge. I thought we run the floor better. We have more poise we take advantage of the moment and know what to do in particular moments,” Enabu said.
National Basketball League Playoff Finals
Men: City Oilers 81-73 Betway Power (Oilers won best of seven series 4-1)
Women: Game two today at Lugogo
Result of game one: UCU Lady Canons 64-70 JKL Lady Dolphins (lead best of seven series)
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