Barring any major issue, the National Basketball League (NBL) men’s playoff finals conclude this week.
Going into game six on the night of Wednesday, November 5, the Namuwongo Blazers are in prime spot to win their maiden championship. They lead 3-2 in the best of seven series and, therefore, one more win will guarantee that.
However, Namuwongo have put themselves in this position the hard way. They lost the first two games of the finals. So, they have had to win three successive games to put themselves in pole position.
Yet, this has coincided with the return of point-guard Tonny Drileba from injury, and is now a major candidate for the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, too.
THE DRILEBA EFFECT
When Namuwongo lost game one by six points and game two by seven, in some quarters it was a case of too close but too far. To others, it was about here we go again: the dictator, as the City Oilers are referred to, were in their usual element of being ruthless and relentless.
It was not clear to tell why Namuwongo were coming short, apart from the fact that City Oilers were more efficient, and outscoring them. Namuwongo were still star-studded with Jimmy Enabu, James Okello, Ivan Muhwezi and Joel Lukoji.
But then returned Drileba from injury and the tide changed, even though one could easily tell that he was playing on one and a half legs.
Sudi Ulanga, the JT Jaguars coach, said: “Drileba has handed the initiative back to Namuwongo simply by ensuring that they have more control of the game. He marshals the other four teammates of his on court at any one time, guiding them on how to move and position themselves to great effect. That is why he is a shoo- in for finals MVP.”
Furthermore, Albert Aciko, the Sommet coach, noted that because of how well Drileba keeps the ball, he has enabled Namuwongo to execute their plays more efficiently.
Aciko added that for a player to be the MVP is not only about how many points they score. But how his game interpretation sets up his teammates to perform.
IAN LUBWAMA AND KURT CURRY CLASS
In addition, Emma Kiguyi, the UCU Canons assistant coach, said that thinking players like Drileba may not be easily appreciated because many fans are all about who has scored the basket.
“For a team to thrive, it needs thinking players that organize the rest. I will tell you, in these playoffs, Drileba has shown that to be lethal, one does not necessarily have to be the strongest or the fastest. But craft and game reading are pertinent. That is what Drileba has brought to the playoffs,” Kiguyi said.
On the other hand, Kiguyi is quick to point out JT Jaguars’ point-guard Ian Lubwama as arguably the best regular season male player.
But he also believes City Oilers’ Chad Bowie and Kurt Curry have brought Sendawula’s remarkable football resilience is a beauty to behold both craft and guile to their team.
Without the two imports, it is hard to fathom where the 10-time defending champions would have been. According to Aciko, Bowie is a good facilitator, coupled with the fact that he is also a big scorer.
That said, Ulanga recognizes Curry especially for his efficiency. His periemeter shooting is impressive, just as is his drives, mid-range jumper and off the foul line. The duo is not easy to stop because of their telepathic understanding, which is the reason City Oilers still believe they can register an eleventh successive championship.
Although Namuwongo are one win away from the championship, ensuring that Drileba stays fit is crucial for them to succeed. Matters have been helped by the fact that Jimmy Enabu, who missed game three and four is also back, to boost their experience.
Otherwise, any setback in the aforementioned aspects can prove pretty costly, possibly in the same manner that City Oilers, who led the series 2-0, are now down 2-3.
According to Aciko, City Oilers have relied a lot on Bowie and Curry, meaning that without more support from other team members, their exploits are not providing the required results. Kiguyi added that seeing the heavy minutes Bowie and Curry have had to play, he worried that they would burn out at some stage.
“We had a similar situation with the UCU Lady Canons. Our combo-guard Shillah Lamunu had to play the entire game during the semifinals against the JKL Lady Dolphins, which affected her efficacy when we got to the decisive game five,” Kiguyi said.
LAMUNU RECOGNITION
Notably, although the UCU Lady Canons did not make the playoff finals, due recognition was accorded to their star point-guard for her selfless endeavour in trying to lift her team throughout the season.
In the best five female players this season, Lamunu was picked as the best shooting guard. Alongside her was JKL’s Evelyn Nakiyingi (Point-Guard) and Hope Akello (Power-Forward).
Akello was also picked as the finals MVP. JT Jaguars’ Mercy Batamuliza was picked as the best centre but also the best defensive player in the women’s league, while Nabisunsa Girls Secondary School’s Abigail Mpoza completed the best five as not only the best small forward, but also the MVP of the regular season.
WAS MPOZA A WORTHY MVP?
Basketball commentator, Albert Ahabwe raised some concerns about picking the regular season MVP from a women’s team that were third from bottom. According to basketball norms, an MVP comes from a team that has done well.
Yet, Nabisunsa, only managed four wins in 20 regular season games. In response, Kiguyi understands where Ahabwe is coming from. He reasoned that because basketball is an American sport, it has an elitist element.
It is the achievers that get due recognition, which essentially means that no matter how well an individual plays, ultimately, it is the end that counts. Nabisunsa were nowhere close to the playoffs despite Mpoza’s exploits.
But then, Kiguyi said it is not Mpoza’s fault, she was in perhaps, a weak team. Yet, what cannot be discounted is the fact that without her, Nabisunsa would never have survived the drop.
Mpoza, 17, who has just completed her Senior Four exams, was outstanding even against the giant teams, managing to sink an average of 19 points per game. She normally played 32 minutes of the 40 per game.
Mpoza’s regular season scores beat those of Akello and Tracy Namugosa, who are big scorers and averaged 15.9 points.
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