The City Oilers managed to withstand the fourth quarter pressure applied by the Namuwongo Blazers to secure a 79-75 win in game 2 of the 2026 NBL Finals.

City Oilers led the game by 17 points but Namuwongo mounted a comeback to cut the deficit to 2 points and they had a chance to level.

However, the Oilers held their nerve and managed to score free throws in the clutch to bag the win and level th3 series 1-1.

Coming into the game, the Blazers had won game one 73-67 and there was a lot of confidence that they would be able to take a 2-0 lead. In fact, there was a faction of fans who thought that the Blazers would sweep the Oilers.

That was not the case though as the Oilers took game 2. They knew how important this game was and they came locked in.

Hot start

The City Oilers showed intent from the get go. After the first abiut 3 minutes, they led the game 11-5.

The Blazers turned things around as they made a run and took a 4-point lead. Ndikumana scored 5 crucial points late in the quarter but Peter Obleng delivered a huge triple with the final attempt of the quarter to give Namuwongo a 25-22 lead.

Second quarter

Fayed Baale opened the quarter with triple to level the game. The Oilers went to the basket and managed to put the ball in the hole. However, the Blazers were making a mess of many things. No shots were being made, turnovers were a problem. In the end, the Oilers went into the halftime break with a 44-39 lead.

Oilers pull away

In the third quarter, the City Oilers managed to pull away and get a 15-point lead. However, that did not last long.

Namuwongo’s shooting woes from the second quarter continued and City Oilers took advantage.

Fayed Baale and Patrick Rembert all hit big threes as the 10-time champions made a 15-0 run.

The Blazers were not fazed and they managed to score late 5 points to make the game 51-63 heading into the final period.

Futile comeback attempt

Just like in game one when the City Oilers tried to launch a comeback in the fourth, the Blazers did the same thing. However, they had a chance to tied the game.e which the Oilers didn’t have in game one.

Fayed Baale scored a huge three to make it a 17-point game with abiut 7 minutes left. At this point, many thought the game was done but Namuwongo engaged another gear. The hunt was on.

They applied pressure on the Oilers and forced them into mistakes. Namuwongo made an 18-3 run to cut the deficit to just 2 points with 1:30 left.

On the next Oilers possession, Patrick Rembert made a 5-second iolation and the Blazers had a chance to tie.

At this point, the pressure was real. The Oilers fans had shut up while the Blazers’ fans were roaring in excitement. Tying the game would have sent the crowd in a frenzy.

Jonathan Komagum produced perhaps the most important sequence in the game. He got off a clean block as Nyembo came for a layup and on the offensive end, he was able to tip the ball in after a Fayed Baale missed 3-point shot.

This put the Blazers down by 4 but they still fought.  Chukwubuka made a big layup a couple of seconds later but Joel Lukoji made 2 free throws to restore the 4-point Oilers lead.

Nyembo then missed 2 free throws but the Blazers forced another turnover and scored to make it a 2-point game with about 10 seconds.

Once again, Namuwongo targeted Lukoji but he made both free throws and the Oilers went on to win the game 79-75.

Top Performers

The City Oilers had 5 players in double digits huge difference from only 1 in game 1. Jonathan Komagum registered a double-double 14 points and 11 rebounds and 3 assists. He also had perhaps the most important sequence late in the game after he blocked Fataki Nyembo and then scored a putback on the offensive end.

Patrick Rembert had 18 points, Fayed Baale 12 while Landry Ndikumana and Joel Lukoji each had 10 points.

Franck Nyembo registered a playoff high 28 points ad 6 rebounds. Anthony Chukwubuka had 18 points and 7 rebounds.

Tonny Drileba was disturbing the ball and he finished with 10 assists while Innocent Ochera scored 10 points.

Rare occurrences

The game was delayed by over 40 minutes because the third referee had not yet arrived. A referee who had not been assigned had to chip in and the game started at about 8:45 pm.

During the game, City Oilers boss, Hajji Santur had a confrontation with Patrick Rembert. He went at him after the 5-second violation late in the fourth quarter. The 2 exchanged words and this was very unusual behavior. I suppose the pressure got to him.

Game 3

With the series tied, both teams will be looking to take game 3 in order to gain a significant advantage.

Game 3 shall take place on Sunday 9th August at the Lugogo Indoor Arena at 6:00 pm EAT.