In the absence of Patrick Rembert, Germaine Roebuck carried the City Oilers to a 3-point win against the Rezlife Saints to complete a 3-0 semifinals sweep. Roebuck scored a game high 22 points including a clutch 3point shot and the layup that broke the Saints’ hopes.

Coming into the game, the Rezlife Saints knew that it was a win or go home and they had to do everything possible to secure the win. On the other hand, the Oilers knew that they had to close out the series but without their star players, Rembert, it was not going to be an easy task.

Great Start for the Oilers

The City Oilers started the game strongly as they opened with a 9-0 run. For those first few minutes, it looked as though the game would be similar to what we saw in game one of this series. However, the Rezlife Saints started to score and game came alive. With about 3 minutes left in the quarter, Chris Omanye scored a huge triple to level the game but Fayed Baale instantly replied to give the lead back to the Oilers. At the end of the quarter, the City Oilers led the game 21-18.

Rezlife takeover

In the second quarter, the Rezlife Saints completely took over. They suffocated the City Oilers offense and limited them to just 7 points. The Oilers scored just 1 field goal and the Rezlife defense was all over them.

The Saints outscored the Oilers 20-7 in the third quarter to take a 10-point lead into the halftime break. At this point, everything was going according to plan for them and they had all the momentum.

The big turnaround

In the third quarter, the game turned on its head. The Rezlife defense that we had seen in the second quarter seemed to vanish. The Oilers kept getting one easy basket after another and in a very short time, they had taken the lead.

Joel kayiira scored 10 points and most of them came easily. Roebuck added another 8 but his three that gave City Oilers the lead brought new energy into the team.

Having been on the ropes for most of the quarter, Rezlife finished the quarter strong and by the end quarter, the game was tied 52-52. This set up the stage for an ecstatic and tense fourth quarter.

The fourth quarter was very tense as both teams wanted the game. The biggest lead was 5 points and that did not last even 30 second. However, Rezlife led the game till about the final 2 minutes.

Roebuck scored a clutch 3-point shot to level the game and Komagum gave Oilers the lead from the free throw line. The final nail in the coffin came with about 30 seconds left.

City Oilers had the possession but Rezlife appeared to play perfect defense and forced them to miss the shot. However, as Mabor tried to get the rebound, Landry Ndikuma tapped it and it fell out of his hands. Komagum also tapped it and it fell in hands of Roebuck who finished the game with a layup.

Rezlife still had an opportunity to level the game but Micheal Otieno missed both of his 3-point shot attempts and City Oilers secured a 70-67 win for them.

Top Performers

The entire City Oilers starting 5 scored double digits. Germaine Robeuck the scorers with 22 points. Joel Kayiira and Jonathan Komagum each registered a double-double with 15 points, 10 rebounds and 11 points 15 rebounds respectively. Fayed Baale and Joel Lukoji also had 11 points each.

Despite a poor outing, Edrine Ekau still led the Rezlife scorers’ charts with 15 points. Chris Omanye also had 15 while Hon Kwany and Micheal Otieno each finished with 10 points.

The Finals

The City Oilers will renew their rivalry with the Namuwongo Blazers as the 2 giants face off in the 2026 NBL Finals. Game One of the finals will be on Wednesday 5th August at the Lugogo Indoor Arena.

On the other hand, the Rezlife Saints will face the UCU Canons in a third place game on 12th August.