Rhinos, Najja High storm playoff finals
Nov 17, 2003
AFTER five gruelling years, Charging Rhinos have finally made it to the MTN 2003 finals.
By Gloria Kyomugisha
Play-off semifinals
Rhinos 70 KIU 61
2nd division
Najja 73 No-Nem 67
AFTER five gruelling years, Charging Rhinos have finally made it to the MTN 2003 finals.
Charging Rhinos proved that they are still a force to reckon with Sunday night when they beat Kampala International University 70-61.
Rhinos ended KIU’s hopes of pulling off an upset in a nine-minute fourth quarter match-winning display that oozed class and made it to the playoff finals with a hard fought and nasty victory.
Rhinos were last in the basketball playoff finals in 1997 when they won the championship. They will now take on defending champions Falcons in the best-of-five series finals starting this weekend.
The ill-tempered match had Rhinos leading 31-16 at halftime before it was transferred to Lugogo Indoor Stadium court due to a power blackout at the YMCA.
The rough play had little of basketball as referees Edmund Lumu and Harriet Lubwama failed to detect off the ball incidences.
Geoffrey Omondi assaulted Alex Ochola of KIU for blocking him. The game had to be stopped after the two turned the court into a boxing ring.
Rhinos were hit below the belt as Ronnie Kalule, Omondi and Moses Olobo, three of their top players, fouled out early in the fourth quarter.
Rhino team veterans Robert Ndamagye (18pts), Robert Mugabe (15) and Mandy Juruni (14) stuck to their guns and never faltered as they carved out for a hard-fought victory.
Man-of-the-match Ndamagye played an instrumental part in Rhinos’ win, putting in the big points when they were needed, including a three-pointer that had them taking a decisive 27-14 lead.
KIU, sent home until next year, had strong play from Carlos Olaka who hit 21 points, Isaac Afidra 19 and Alex Ochola limited to only seven points.
In the other game, Najja High played hard against No-Nem to set up a final battle with Kololo Bush Court. Charles Dismus top scored with 36.
Play-off semifinals
Rhinos 70 KIU 61
2nd division
Najja 73 No-Nem 67
AFTER five gruelling years, Charging Rhinos have finally made it to the MTN 2003 finals.
Charging Rhinos proved that they are still a force to reckon with Sunday night when they beat Kampala International University 70-61.
Rhinos ended KIU’s hopes of pulling off an upset in a nine-minute fourth quarter match-winning display that oozed class and made it to the playoff finals with a hard fought and nasty victory.
Rhinos were last in the basketball playoff finals in 1997 when they won the championship. They will now take on defending champions Falcons in the best-of-five series finals starting this weekend.
The ill-tempered match had Rhinos leading 31-16 at halftime before it was transferred to Lugogo Indoor Stadium court due to a power blackout at the YMCA.
The rough play had little of basketball as referees Edmund Lumu and Harriet Lubwama failed to detect off the ball incidences.
Geoffrey Omondi assaulted Alex Ochola of KIU for blocking him. The game had to be stopped after the two turned the court into a boxing ring.
Rhinos were hit below the belt as Ronnie Kalule, Omondi and Moses Olobo, three of their top players, fouled out early in the fourth quarter.
Rhino team veterans Robert Ndamagye (18pts), Robert Mugabe (15) and Mandy Juruni (14) stuck to their guns and never faltered as they carved out for a hard-fought victory.
Man-of-the-match Ndamagye played an instrumental part in Rhinos’ win, putting in the big points when they were needed, including a three-pointer that had them taking a decisive 27-14 lead.
KIU, sent home until next year, had strong play from Carlos Olaka who hit 21 points, Isaac Afidra 19 and Alex Ochola limited to only seven points.
In the other game, Najja High played hard against No-Nem to set up a final battle with Kololo Bush Court. Charles Dismus top scored with 36.