Africa-Press – Uganda. UCU Canons condemned City Oilers to a sixth defeat in the National Basketball League Friday night at YMCA.
That was Oilers’ last game of the first round, in which they managed just five wins.
The mid-season break could not have come at a better point for the ten-time champions, who are in dire need of some new signings to bolster the playing squad.
Fuba rules allow teams to add up to three players in the mid-season transfer window and Oilers will be expected to actively pursue signings good enough to get them back in the title conversation.
“It was a learning curve despite the team playing below the standard previous Oilers teams had set,” head coach Andrew Tendo told Daily Monitor after Friday’s defeat.
Ben Komakech, with 17 points and Edgar Munaba, with 13, were the only players to score in double figures for Oilers on Friday, further highlighting the team’s lack of scoring options.
Fayed Baale started the season injured but even his return has done little to show that things will get better for the defending champions.
Joel Kayiira posted a double-double of 15 points and 12 rebounds on the night for UCU, who won their sixth game of the campaign.
Alier Jongroor had a 12-12 double-double while Flore Dushime scored 13 points as the Canons improved to a 6-4 record.
Not a good look
One has to stretch back to their debut season in 2013 to recall the last time the Oilers lost five or more games in the regular season.
Then, the Kami Kabange-led side finished with a 15-7 record to finish as fifth seeds behind KIU, Warriors, UCU and Power.
“It’s not a good look for the team at the moment but we shall make some adjustments to improve the roster and bolster the performance for second round,” Tendo added.
Injury to two-time MVP Titus Lual exposed the team’s lack of options in the paint, with Joseph Chuma, Rogers Dauna and Edgar Munaba as the recognizable choices.
The former UCU big man is expected to miss the rest of the season after suffering a setback in his recovery.
Tendo revealed: “We lacked presence in the low post and that’s one of the focus points of this break.”
The end of the first round, according to Tendo, will help the team reorganize and return as a better side in the second round.
“At this juncture, it is very important because we get to improve on the team set up based on what has happened in the first round.”
With Namuwongo Blazers easing through the first round to cement top spot, Oilers will be aware that defending the title this year will require massive improvement in the second round.
National Basketball League
Results
W –KIU 76-55 Nabisunsa
M –UCU Canons 79-62 City Oilers
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