The stage is set for an entertaining National Basketball League Finals rematch as the KIU Titans lock horns with their arch-rivals, the City Oilers, for the third time in the championship series.
The highly anticipated best-of-seven matchup kicks off tonight, Wednesday, August 28th, at 9 PM at Lugogo Indoor Arena in Kampala.
The Titans are hungry for their first-ever NBL title after falling short to the Oilers in both the 2017 and 2023 finals.
This year, they hope to rewrite history despite a rocky start to the season, which included a season-opening loss to the Namuwongo Blazers, a team they later defeated in the semifinals.
The Oilers, seeking their record-extending 10th consecutive championship, come into the series with a new weapon in their arsenal: American import Parrish Petty.
Petty’s impressive performance in game three of the semifinals helped eliminate UCU Canons.
The Titans haven’t had the upper hand against the Oilers this season, losing both regular-season encounters (72-63 and 71-43).
However, their focus is on replicating the momentum that propelled them through a grueling semifinal series.
KIU Titans captain Collins Kasujja and guard Peter Obleng return to the finals for the third consecutive year, having previously tasted defeat with the Namuwongo Blazers in 2022.
This year, they’ll be joined by rookie Carlos Isabu, who is experiencing a dream debut season in the NBL.
Meanwhile, Denis Omara, Juf Mpiya, and Pierre Kasereka Tembo will be making their NBL Finals debuts.
Despite the short turnaround between the semifinals and finals, captain Collins Kasujja is confident in his team’s preparedness.
“We didn’t have enough time to rest, but we are ready for the moment,” he declared. “The semifinals were a final of their own, and we are set to remain in that mindset to take control of the real final series.”
While veteran Ahmed Kassa remains sidelined with a long-term injury, guard Joel Lukoji Banza is expected to start after recovering from a scare in the semifinals.
Ivan Lumanyika returns to familiar territory, having played in previous finals against the Oilers. The rest of the Titans squad is healthy and raring to go.
The second game of the series is scheduled for Friday, August 30th.
