City Oilers extended their unprecedented dominance in Ugandan basketball, clinching their 10th consecutive National Basketball League (NBL) title on Wednesday.
The Oilers sealed the championship with a 64-51 victory over the KIU Titans, completing a clean 4-0 sweep in the best-of-seven series.
Leading the charge was Petty Parrish, who put on a stellar performance with 21 points. Ivan Muhwezi and Titus Lual contributed 11 points each, while Ben Komakech added 10 points to the scoreboard.
Edgar Munaaba led KIU scorers with 13 points while Peter Obleng and Mpiya Juf added 12 points each, but in vain.
This marks the third time the Oilers have triumphed over the KIU Titans in the finals, having previously defeated them in 2018 and 2023.
Under the guidance of Coach Andrew Tendo, the team has maintained its dominance throughout the season – They topped the regular season standings and showcased their superiority by sweeping the Kampala Rockets and UCU Canons in the quarterfinals and semifinals, respectively.
They came into Wednesday’s game four on the back of 70-61, 70-65 and 72-70 wins in game One, Two and three in that order.
‘Dictator’ Persevere To Reach 10th Heaven
When the City Oilers defeated the KIU Titans to clinch their ninth title last season, many long-time enthusiasts agreed that it was their best squad ever assembled.
However, as the new season approached, the team faced a significant setback when head coach Mande Juruni announced his departure and subsequently joined Rwanda’s Kepler.
Despite this, the Oilers went on to top the regular season.
The team’s challenges deepened after the shocking departure of key players Jimmy Enabu, Tonny Drilleba, and James Okello following the first round, casting doubt on their ability to maintain their championship run.
The situation further deteriorated in the playoffs. Edrine Walujjo was suspended due to match-fixing allegations, and Moses Maker sustained an injury against the UCU Canons, leaving the team with a depleted roster.
Nevertheless, the Oilers found a game-changer in American guard Petty Parrish, who had previously featured for the club at Basketball Africa League.
His addition in the playoffs proved pivotal, making his debut during the semifinals against the UCU Canons, where he hit four consecutive three-pointers in the decisive third game.
Parrish continued to shine in the Finals, reaching double-digit points in both Game One and Game Two.
Although he had a quiet Game Three, he was outstanding in Game Four on Wednesday, leading the team with a game-high 21 points.
Credit will also go to Veteran guard Ben Komakech who started the campaign as an assistant coach, but had to return to court after the exit of key players. And he proved vital in crucial moments.
