Namuwongo Blazers want tighter officiation
The Blazers are 2-1 down in the Finals after dropping the last two games, with the last contest decided in overtime. Obol says the Blazers are confident they can turn it around.
Nam Blazers James Okello (left) and Jimmy Enabu strategise against the City Oilers during Game-2 of the best of 7 FUBA league final playoff at Lugogo. Oilers won 76-72. Photo by Michael Nsubuga
National Basketball League Finals
Today, Lugogo
Game 4
Men: Oilers v Namuwongo
(Oilers lead series 2-1)
Best-of-five women’s semis
Women: UCU v KCC
Namugongo Blazers CEO Daniel Muto has called for “fairness and consistency” in the refereeing as the National Basketball League (NBL) Finals head into a pivotal Game 4 today at Lugogo.
“Referee concerns have always been raised, and we expect the referees to be better,” Obol told New Vision Sports. “This is the biggest stage; you expect to have the best referees officiating the games. Throughout the year, the referees are assessed, and you expect that they know who the best referees are to handle this stage
“Yes, bad calls can be made but we just want more fairness and consistency in the calls. There is a lot invested, so we just want the refereeing to be fair so that the best team wins, no matter who it is.”
The Blazers are 2-1 down in the Finals after dropping the last two games, with the last contest decided in overtime. Obol says the Blazers are confident they can turn it around.
“We have been in a bigger hole before, so there is nothing to worry about,” said Obol. “We know we can bounce back, and we are confident we will do it.”
Oilers general manager Mohammed Santur knows the series is not over, but he is extremely delighted with how his side have responded to adversity in the series.
“I am extremely proud of the players,” said Santur. “Our dressing room is united and locked in.”
Santur and Obol had a brief altercation at the end of the fourth quarter of Game 3 after the controversial incident where the Oilers were awarded then stripped of free throws that would have won the game.
Santur says his reaction was in the heat of the moment.
“There are a lot of emotions and passions in the series,” Santur explained. “There is nothing personal. I don’t have a problem with the referees; they were making mistakes on both sides. My issue was just that call. It was very important; it could have swung the series.”
Now the Oilers are in command, but Santur knows it is not over.
“I am to be 2-1 up, but we know it is not over,” Santur added. “If they come back and win, they deserve to be champions.