UCU Lady Canons, Oilers edge closer to playoff finals

Pepsi National Basketball League playoffs

Women: UCU 68 A1 61 (UCU lead series 2-0)
Men: Oilers 87 UCU 73 (Oilers leadseries 2-0)

It was a battle of wills as the UCU Lady Canons edged out A1 Challenge 68-61 in Game 2 of the Pepsi National Basketball League playoff semifinals yesterday at Lugogo.

Judith Nansobya nailed a game-high of 21 points while VIlma Achieng grabbed 16 points and a game-high 12 rebounds as the Canons recovered from losing the first quarter 16-11 against a desperate A1 team seeking to the level the series.

Ritah Imanishimwe added 12 points for the defending champions, who went into half-time leading 28-27.

Sharon Kakunda and VIcky Ondiso scored 13 and 11 points respectively for Andrew Bazira's A1, who are 2-0 behind and look almost certain of being eliminated in Sunday's Game 3.

UCU have shown an impressive ability to prey on the weaknesses of the competitors and Game 2 was no different as the Mukono-based team used a 22-13 third quarter to take control of the game.

Meanwhile in the men's game, Jimmy Enabu sunk a game-high 30 points as the City Oilers took a 2-0 series lead over the UCU Canons in  Game 2 of their semi-finals, winning 87-73.

Enabu was unplayable and his heroics have left the three-time defending champions a game away from returning to the Finals. Ben Komakech, Kami Kabange and Landry Ndikumana added 18, 16 and 12 points respectively.

Stephen Wundi, Isiah Ater and Brian Namake snatched 16, 12 and 11 points repsectively for UCU, who need a miracle to recover against the Oilers.