City Oilers moved to within two victories of reclaiming the National Basketball League crown after surviving a dramatic overtime battle against Namuwongo Blazers, winning 76-72 in a thrilling Game Three at the Lugogo Indoor Arena on Sunday.
What looked like a game that City Oilers were preparing to close out in regulation quickly turned into one of the most dramatic contests of the Finals. The ten-time champions appeared to have gained decisive control when they opened up a 63-58 lead with just 24 seconds remaining, but Namuwongo refused to surrender and produced a remarkable late fightback that forced the game beyond the regulation 40 minutes.
Franck Fataki Nyembo was at the centre of the Blazers’ resistance. With time running down, Fataki calmly knocked down a three-pointer to cut the deficit to 63-61 and suddenly put Namuwongo within striking distance. Landry Ndikumana responded for City Oilers by converting one free throw to restore a three-point advantage, leaving the Blazers needing another big play with almost no time remaining.
And once again, Fataki answered the call. With just two seconds showing on the clock, the Namuwongo star buried another three-pointer to level the contest at 64-64, sending the game into overtime and triggering wild celebrations inside a packed Lugogo Indoor Arena. It was a remarkable turnaround for the Blazers, who had appeared to be heading for defeat only moments earlier.
The dramatic finish to regulation set up an equally tense overtime period. After delays before the extra period could begin, both teams returned with the same intensity that had defined the closing stages of the fourth quarter. The Oilers, however, remained composed under pressure and gradually found the decisive plays, outscoring Namuwongo 12-8 in overtime to finally put the contest beyond reach.
Patrick Rembert played a key role in the decisive moments, converting two important free throws late in overtime to help City Oilers protect their lead and complete a hard-fought 76-72 victory. His composure from the line proved particularly valuable in a game where every possession carried enormous weight, as the Oilers secured a 2-1 advantage in the best-of-seven Finals.
City Oilers had controlled much of the contest before Namuwongo’s late surge. The Oilers opened the game with an 18-15 lead after the first quarter and maintained their narrow advantage through a closely fought second quarter, heading into halftime with a 35-34 lead. The third quarter followed the same pattern, with the champions holding a slender 50-49 advantage before Namuwongo raised the tempo in the final period and turned the game into a dramatic shootout.
Fataki was undoubtedly the standout performer for Namuwongo, carrying a significant portion of the offensive responsibility while also contributing on the boards. He finished with an impressive 28 points, eight rebounds and two assists, including the two crucial three-pointers that kept the Blazers alive and ultimately forced overtime. Anthony Chukwurah added 13 points, while Jimmy Enabu contributed 12 in a spirited Namuwongo effort that ultimately fell just short.
For City Oilers, Rembert led the way with 22 points, four assists and two rebounds, combining scoring with playmaking when his team needed it most. Germaine Roebuck Jr added 11 points, while Fayed Bbale and Titus Lual each contributed 10 points as the Oilers relied on a balanced offensive effort to withstand Namuwongo’s late challenge.
The victory also underlined City Oilers’ impressive response after losing the opening game of the series. Namuwongo had taken an early 1-0 lead with a 73-67 victory in Game One last Wednesday, but the Oilers responded strongly in Game Two on Friday, winning 79-75 to level the series before edging Sunday’s overtime classic to move ahead once again.
The momentum now sits with City Oilers, who require just two more victories to lift the championship. Namuwongo, meanwhile, face a crucial Game Four, knowing that another defeat would leave them trailing 3-1 and within touching distance of elimination. The Blazers will need to recover quickly and find a way to convert their strong late-game performances into a series-levelling victory.
The Finals return to Lugogo Indoor Arena on Wednesday, August 12, for Game Four, with both teams expected to bring another intense battle as the series reaches a pivotal stage. Game Five is scheduled for Friday, August 14, setting the stage for another potentially decisive chapter in what has already developed into a compelling championship contest.
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Finance Trust Bank FUFA WSL 2026/2027 Fixtures.
FWSL - MATCH DAY 1 FIXTURE
 
(1)
3 - 02026/2027
Kawempe Muslims LFC vs Jinja United WFC |
 
(1)
0 - 12026/2027
She Corporate FC vs St.Noa Girls Zana FC |
 
(1)
0 - 32026/2027
URA Ladies FC vs KCCA WFC |
 
(1)
1 - 02026/2027
Makerere University vs Amus College WFC |
 
(1)
0 - 12026/2027
LADY DOVES FC vs Uganda Martyrs LWFC |
 
(1)
0 - 32026/2027
Rines SS WFC vs She Maroons FC |
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