The University derby will be very heated as 2 teams that had huge spells in the regular season go toe-to-toe for a spot in the 2025 NBL.

Victoria University got eliminated in the semifinals of the 2023 season after losing game 3  to the JT Jaguars.

On the other hand, UMU Flames did not make it past the quarter-finals in 2023 and both teams are looking to right the wrongs from the previous season.

In the quarter-finals, Victoria University was very dominant, sweeping Entebbe Knight Riders with so much easy.

They won game one 95-61 but the standout statistic was that 6 of their players registered double-digit scores.

They also scored 33 points in the first quarter alone which is a playoff high so far.

In game 2, they 68-39 but the most impressive thing in this game was the defense.

They limited Knight Riders to just 15 points in the entire second half.

UMU Flames swept Sommet in what was a shock elimination for many.

After trailing in the first quarter, UMU turned the ship in the second and they never looked back.

Joshua Duallo (17 pts, 14 reb, 5 ast, 7 stl, 2 blk) and John Otuko (12 pts, 18 reb, 3 ast, 2 stl, 3 blk) completely dominated and carried the team across the finish line.

In game 2, UMU trailed by 11 points ahead of the fourth quarter but they turned up huge in the final period.

The Flames fire was reignited and they went on a 15-6 run in the first 5 minutes of the quarter to make it a 2-point game.

Gatwech Kong also made 2 back-to-back 3-point shots in clutch time and these were a recipe for their comeback.

Head to Head

Victoria University 80:73 UMU Flames

Victoria University 39:55 UMU Flames

Victoria University 75:66 UMU Flames

Victoria University 59:55 UMU Flames

Victoria University 57:59 UMU Flames

Victoria University

Season Record 26-6

Points For: 2336 (73)

Points Against: 1907 (59.6)

Last 5 games

68:39 Entebbe Knight Riders

95:61 Entebbe Knight Riders

83:59 Nkumba Marines

94:66 Entebbe Knight Riders

72:52 Entebbe Knight Riders

Top Performers

Cedric Alema 10.4 pts, 2.5 ast, 7m6 reb, 1.6 blk, 1.6 stl

Joseph Kumbai 12.5 pts, 13.3 reb, 1.8 blk, 1.3 stl

Nyong Marier 9.3 pts, 4.3 reb,  1.3 ast, 1.2 stl

UMU Flames

Season Record 21-11

Points For 1950 (65)

Points Against 1849 (61.3)

Last 5 games

60:57 Sommet

64:53 Sommet

53:49 Diamonds in the Sun

62:77 Rezlife Saints

64:59 Old Tymers

Top Performers

Joshua Duallo 13. 8 pts, 14.3 reb, 2.5 ast, 2.8 blk, 2.5 stl

Torach Brian 12.2 pts, 3.1 reb, 1.9 ast, 1.5 stl

John Otuko 9.5 pts, 8.5 reb, 1.8 stl

Talking points

Stopping Joshua Duallo will be the biggest assignment for Victoria University if they are serious about winning the series.

Joshua as been by far the most dominant player in the league and given his versatility, limiting him both offensively and defensively weakens the UMU Flames.

Who controls the pace and tempo?

Victoria University has been the quickest team when it comes to executing offensively.

They up the tempo really high and most teams haven’t been able to keep up.

For UMU Flames, it’s in their interest to try and slow things down and this calls for top notch 1v1 defending on their guards.

Rebounding is also going to be very key in this game but as things look, Victoria University has the edge in terms of physique.

Kumbai, Cedric, Akok Majok,  Nyong Marier and Erick Komagum all have high ceilings when it comes to picking rebounds and any of them could be the difference on a given day.

For UMU, their reliance is mostly on Joshua Duallo, Otuko John and Gatwech.

After being key in game one, Otuko had just 4 points and 1 rebound in game 2 and they will need him to show up for all the games if they are to have a chance.

Game one shall be at Abja Parks on Saturday at 16:00 and game 2 shall take place at Lugogo Indoor Arena on Sunday at 19:00.