Oilers beat Power again

By Charles Mutebi

Pepsi National Basketball League playoffs 

Women: KCCA 72 KIU 53 

Men: Oilers 62 Power 58

Sunday

Women: UCU v A1  

Men: UCU v KIU 

IF you ignore the past, Game 1 of the Pepsi National Basketball League playoffs semi-finals between the City Oilers and TigerHead Power was the announcement of what will be a close and entertaining series. 

But if you consider the fact that this was the Oilers 13th straight win over Power, then the outcome is demoralising for those who were hoping for an unpredictable series. 

Kami Kabange snatched a game high 22 points and 13 rebounds and Landry Nadikumana added 16 points and 10 boards as the defending champions outlasted Power 62-58 Friday at the YMCA to take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five semi-finals. Sudi Ulanga scored a team-high 17 for Power while Joseph IKong and Michael Makiadi added 10 points apiece. 

Power led for much of the contest, enjoying the biggest lead of the night after going up 34-26 at the start of the third quarter, but once again Bernes Ankunda's men could not find a way to end their jinx.  

Many are already fearing the worst for the five-time champions even though there's potentially four more games to play.   

Even the Oilers are worried for Power. The champions believe this was a great opportunity for Power to beat them. And they will now make them pay. 

"They are finished now," warned Kabange. "We are not going to play as badly again."

Meanwhile, Martha Soigi had 20 points and 15 rebounds while Joy Chemutai and Flavia Oketcho added 12 and 10 points respectively as defending women's champions KCCA Leopards secured a comfortable 72- 53 win over the KIU Rangers in Game 1 of their best-of-five semi-finals. 

Suzan Amito, Maureen Atulinda and Aurore Irakoze sunk 15, 13 and 12 points respectively for KIU.