The 2025 National Basketball League women’s finals resume tonight, Tuesday, October 28, at the Lugogo Indoor Arena, with JKL Lady Dolphins and JT Lady Jaguars level at one game apiece and both chasing a crucial edge in the best-of-seven series.
Game Three, which will be played at 7pm, and live on NBS Sport and AfroMobile, promises to be pivotal.
JKL, the defending champions and four-time NBL winners, restored parity on Sunday with a 52–38 win after losing the opener, using their defensive organisation and rebounding to silence the Jaguars’ attack.
Hope Akello and Brenda Ekone were central to that victory. Akello dominated both ends, finishing with 16 points and 21 rebounds, while Ekone controlled the tempo and punished the Jaguars in transition.
Their leadership has been the backbone of JKL’s push for a third consecutive title.
JT Lady Jaguars, who are competing in their first-ever finals, had impressed in Game One with their sharp execution and perimeter shooting, but suffered a complete offensive breakdown in Game Two.
They failed to score double digits in three of the four quarters, shot 2-of-25 from three-point range, and converted only a third of their free throws.
Coach Sudi Ulanga admitted it was the team’s worst offensive outing of the season. Despite that, his side’s defensive structure held firm, keeping JKL to just 52 points.
He will hope tonight’s game brings sharper finishing and improved decision-making.
Sarah Ageno and Aziida Nabayunga led the scoring for the Jaguars with seven points apiece, but the team lacked rhythm and penetration against JKL’s packed defense.
Their ability to adjust and regain offensive fluidity will define whether they can regain control of the series.
For JKL, the focus will be maintaining the defensive pressure that suffocated the Jaguars in Game Two while finding more consistent scoring from their guards.
The Lady Dolphins’ system relies on high work rate, rebounding dominance, and composure under pressure; traits that were evident in Sunday’s win.
Both teams have shown contrasting strengths in the series. Jaguars’ Game One victory was built on pace and spacing, while JKL’s Game Two success came from control and discipline.
Tonight’s meeting is expected to set the tone for the rest of the finals.
A win for either side would be a major psychological boost heading into Game Four later this week on Friday.
For the Jaguars, it would reassert their challenge to the defending champions, and for JKL, it would place them almost halfway to another championship.
