The National Basketball League (NBL) Finals are set to tip off this Friday, October 24, at the Lugogo Indoor Arena, marking the climax of Uganda’s basketball season.
Both the men’s and women’s finals will run concurrently in a best-of-seven series, with all games live on NBS Sport.
In the men’s category, defending and record ten-time champions City Oilers will renew their rivalry with the Namuwongo Blazers.
The Blazers, who have been dominant this season, topped the regular season standings with a 19-3 record and stormed the finals after sweeping both Rezlife Saints and UCU Canons.
The Oilers, on the other hand, are eyeing a record-extending 11th league title, setting up what promises to be an explosive contest between two of the country’s top basketball powerhouses.
The Blazers are expected back from Dar es Salaam, where they sealed qualification to the Elite 16 of the Basketball Africa League (BAL) after thrashing Djabal BC of Comoros 132–58.
Their recent continental success has further fueled anticipation ahead of the finals.
In the women’s division, defending champions JKL Lady Dolphins will battle the JT Lady Jaguars, who reached their first-ever finals after a clean sweep of Magic Stormers.
The Dolphins earned their place by edging past record eight-time champions UCU Lady Canons in the semifinals.
The finals will open with Game 1 this Friday. The JT Lady Jaguars face the JKL Lady Dolphins at 7 pm, followed by City Oilers against Nam Blazers at 9 pm.
A women’s third-place playoff between UCU Lady Canons and Magic Stormers will take place on Sunday, October 26, before Game 2 of the finals continues later that day.
The championship series will run until November 7 if all seven games are required, promising two weeks of high-intensity basketball as Uganda’s top clubs chase glory under the Lugogo lights.
