Unlike the men’s league basketball final playoffs that lived up to the expectations of the majority, the Tusker Lite Women National Basketball League playoff final seems to have brewed a shocker as the team regarded by most as the underdog in the tie—JKL Lady Dolphins—won the best of seven playoffs 4-0 against giants UCU Lady Canons.
Going into the final, Lady Canons could have felt confident enough to seal the championship which they have dominated in the last three consecutive years. Besides, UCU had history to chase, that is matching record local league winners Lady Bucks who have eight titles to their name.
And to show they were on a different plane in terms of pedigree, the Mukono-based side was playing in their tenth final and ninth in succession.
However, JKL Lady Dolphins who are playing their maiden top division final appear to be not giving any respect to past history and they are confidently writing their own.
For those that watched the two ties of the two sides in the regular season, it should not be a shock as such for UCU to be on the wrong side of the series. The Lady Dolphins recorded a double over Lady Canons (55-52 and 46-50) and topped the season log with 34 points in the process.
To qualify for the final, the Lady Dolphins made a commanding sail after sweeping A1 Challenge 3-0 in the best of five semifinal playoffs. With such impressive performance, it’s the reason they clinched this year’s title.
Super congratulations to JKL Dolphins who have won their first National Basketball League title after sweeping UCU Lady Canons 4-0. 👏🏾
There is a new women’s basketball champion in Uganda 🇺🇬 that isn’t UCU or KCCA Leopards for the first time since 2007! #Basketball256 pic.twitter.com/ShgCRFjuPz
— Usher Komugisha (@UsherKomugisha) October 24, 2018
Zama’s show, Juruni’s magic
The final whistle results may show UCU as a side having had a bad day but that is only to those who wait for results (70-64, 75-69, 56-49 and 66-63). For those watching the games, UCU was good but Dolphins were excellent.
A variety of Dolphin players are playing the final of their ‘dream’ display and these include the likes of Rita Imanishimwe, Flavia Oketcho, Hope Akello, Muhayimuna Namuwaya and Stella Oyella.
But a one Jamila ‘Zama’ Nansikombi is in her own league as she has been the standout player. Zama has collected 21, 24 and 27 points in the three games of the final so far and no doubt she will be the hot favourite for MVP, as her A Game has caused massive damage to UCU.
Coached by Mandy Juruni, the man behind City Oilers’ dominance in the men’s category as well as the improvement of the national team the Silverbacks, Juruni and his magical tactics appears to be instilling the same mentality in the Lady Dolphins players.
He has given them confidence and consistency even when trailing as was the case in game two and three.