Following last year’s heroics from university side KIU Titans cruising through to the first National Basketball League Playoffs final, the best of seven series against defending champions City Oilers will tip off this Friday at the Lugogo arena.
Yet, despite money bags City Oilers coming into the final with the title winning bragging rights, this has not diminished the Kansanga-based side’s hopes of landing their first title. The rejuvenated Titans had an impressive regular season and this had many among the basketball fraternity tipping them as the team that will end the Oilers run of four successive title wins.
On paper, that appears a tough call, given that Oilers defeated Titans twice in the regular season; 73-64 and 64-61. And with the Oilers fresh from a commendable showing at the recently ended FIBA African Champions Cup where they finished fifth, confidence will not be in short supply.
The Titans might have anyone other than Oilers fans rooting for them, but they sure have their way cut out doing what any other local basketball club has failed to do in the last five years.
Series Schedule (All games at Lugogo Indoor Stadium)
Game 1: Friday, January 5 – 7pm
Game 2: Sunday, January 7 – 5:30pm
Game 3: Wednesday, January 10 – 7pm
Game 4: Friday, January 12 – 7pm
Game 5*: Sunday, January 14 – 5:30pm
Game 6*: Wednesday, January 17 – 7pm
Game 7*: Friday, January 19 – 7pm
*Denotes games which may not be played if series has already been decided