KIU Titans head coach Julius Lutwama is still basking in the glory of his team’s hard-fought victory over the Namuwongo Blazers in the National Basketball League (NBL) semifinals.
The Titans emerged victorious in a nail-biting series that went down to the wire, requiring an overtime period in the deciding fifth game to secure a 3-2 aggregate win.
In a post-game interview, Lutwama described the series as the tightest he’s ever been a part of, both as a player and a coach.
“It had never gotten to that level for me,” he admitted, highlighting the immense pressure and shared ambition of both teams vying for the championship title.
Lutwama commended his players for their maturity and resilience throughout the series.
“We were represented very well, quite impressive!” he said.
This win marks a historic moment for the coach, etching his name in KIU Titans history as the first to lead them to consecutive NBL finals appearances.
Looking back on his three-year tenure with the Titans, Lutwama reflects on a steady upward trajectory.
After a fourth-place finish in his debut year (2022), he steered the team to the finals in 2023, ultimately falling short to the City Oilers.
Now, he returns with the hope of finally breaking the jinx and delivering KIU Titans their first-ever NBL championship.
However, the road ahead won’t be easy. The Titans are set to face a formidable opponent – a nine-time champion.
“We are playing a team that has won the league nine times in a row, and we are aware of that fact,” acknowledged Lutwama.
He emphasized the importance of staying calm and focused on executing their game plan.
The highly anticipated NBL finals are scheduled to tip-off on Wednesday, August 28th, 2024, at 9:00 PM EAT at the Lugogo Indoor Arena.
