Friday, June 14
*Women: KCCA Leopards Vs A1 Challenge – 6:30 PM
*Men: KIU Titans Vs City Oilers – 8:30 PM

Probable Starting Five
Titans – Michael Bwanga, Sudi Ulanga, Ethienel Kazungu, Francis Kasinde, Denis Balungu

Oilers – Jimmy Enabu, Ivan Muhwezi, Stephen Omony, James Okello, Landry Ndikumana

City Oilers and KIU Titans will be targeting a string start to the second round of the National Basketball league when they go head to head at Indoor Arena in Lugogo.

This game has always been everyone’s favourite because of the quality in these teams for the recent years, highlighted by the epic 2017 league finals.

Despite losing one of their best players, guard Chris Omanye before the start of this ongoing season, KIU has managed to pick up the lost pieces and are back on the right track.

They lost three consecutive games in the first round to Betway Power, Oilers and Warriors before launching a straight seven game unbeaten streak that included big wins against JKL and UCU.

Both teams ended the first round with a 8-3 record (eight wins and three losses).

Oilers, six time defending champions has five of their players named on the national team and that shows how strong they are, in case you have any doubt in their quality. However, KIU Titans is one team that has revealed that Oilers dynasty can be put down.

KIU beat Oilers twice last season but the latter paid back in similar currency during the post season, at the semis stage to be particular before storming the finals.

Players To Watch

KIU Titans – Denis Balungu

To beat City Oilers, it must be a combined effort. All of the Titans must show up tonight for one of their biggest regular season game.

However, one man in Balungu must be at his best if KIU are to have a say. He has scored 170 points, averaging 15 points per game, sixth on the table charts which is led by Sharing Youth’s Caesar Kizito on 226.

However, Balungu’s services will be mostly needed in defense especially to clear the boards against Oilers tremendous threat caused by Francis Chisioke Ajolibe, Landry Ndikumana and James Okello.

With guard Michael Bwanga making many turnovers, Ethienel Kazungu yet to fit in and Sudi Ulanga firing blanks, KIU’s Balungu must tighthen his laces for what promises to be along night.

City Oilers – Jimmy Enabu

It has always been Jimmy. And he has day in, day out, stepped up and lived as advertised.

In his position as a team’s point guard and club Captain, it always come by default to be the coach on court. This comes with great responsibilities and Jimmy has always led by example.

He leads this season’s assists section with 58, and he has got to share the ball more tonight. He has got the ability to beat his man and his explosive drives through traffic, something he does with skill and ease, will be crucial against Titans concrete defense.

He must have a good supporting cast from everyone, including fellow guards like Josh Johnson and Daniel Najja Juuko if Oilers are to record a double over rivals KIU.