The 2026 FUBA Division One playoffs tipped off on Saturday 19th and drama unfolded on day one. The top four seeds in the men’s division all lost and this was very surprising. This means that at the end of Sunday, there is a strong possibility that all the top four team from the regular season could be out.

YMCA Hamstars edge Ihoops

The number eight seed, YMCA Hamstars, who only qualified to the playoffs after winning their final game of the season, shocked the number one seed, Ihoops in game one. The Hamstars won the game 68-60 but it ended in dramatic fashion.

During the regular season, Ihoops had won the 2 games when both teams met. This was expected to continue but YMCA said, not again. After the first quarter, YMCA led the game 13-10. They extended their lead to 32-26 at the halftime break.

In the third quarter, Ihoops turned up. They outscored YMCA 21-16 to cut the deficit to 1 point ahead of the fourth quarter. The fourth quarter was very close till the final 4 minutes. YMCA led 60-57 with under 4 minutes to play but the final minutes were catastrophic for Ihoops. Whatever they tried to do did not amount to anything and YMVA punished them.

YMCA had 4 players in double digits. Abisinguza Nelly, Ringo Bol and Ibrahim Waibi scored 10, 12 and 10 pints respectively. Christian Ndibu registered a double- double with 11 points and 25 rebounds.

Wadaya Blair registered a 12 points, 10 rebounds double-double while Waleed Omar and Edward Komakech scored 14 and 13 points respectively.

Miracle Eagles vs KIU Titans

The number 5 seed, the KIU titans defeated number four seed, Miracle Eagles 60-51. Miracle made 32 turnovers and was punished heavily with the Titans scoring 33 points from turnovers.

KIU led the game 21-17 after the first quarter. However, with 3:11 left in the second, Miracle had turned the game around and led by 3. Another twist in the game happened. The Titans made a 9-0 run to close the quarter and they led 36-30.  With just over 5 minutes left in the game, KIU led by 14 and Miracle could not make a comeback.

Ryan Akena came off the bench and scored a game-high 15 points. Chieng Garang added 14 while Bruhani Ngbi scored 9 points for KIU. Chat mat Lim Bol and Emmanuel Ladho each scored 11 points for Miracle while Vicent Kamya led the team in scoring with 12 points.

Watoto vs Entebbe Knight Riders

This was a very low scoring affair and the Riders won it 49-41. In the fourth quarter, there was a bit of drama and a comeback almost happened but it was not completed.

Watoto had defeated the Knight Riders on both occasions when the teams met in the regular season. Just like YMCA, the Knight riders said, not again. The Entebbe side won each of the first 3 quarters and led the game by as many as 14 points.

However, Watoto made an 11-0 run to cut the deficit to 1 points. The Knight riders were scoreless for more than 9 minutes of the fourth quarter. Mark Okot scored a big basket to stop the bleeding and Luc Rukondo made a very big three after a turnover had been committed by Watoto. Mark Okot put the icing on the cake with a late layup to end the game 49-41.

Jasper Alinda made 3 triples and had a game-high 15 points. Edgar Jjunju added 11 while Luc Rukondo had 9 points for the Knight Riders. Victor Mwesigwa was the only Watoto player in double dights and he finished with 12 points.

Berkley vs Nkumba Marines

The number 6 seed, the Nkumba Marines made an 11-point comeback to upset number 3 seed, Berkley. Berkley had also won the 2 regular season games when they faced the Nkumba Marines. That streak was put to halt in game one of the quarterfinals as the University side won 63-59.

Berkley started strong and they took the first quarter 20-13. In the second, both teams went at it but it was Berkley who led 32-28 at the halftime break. By the end of the third quarter, Nkumba trailed 39-47 but they managed to make a big comeback.

Early in the fourth, Nkumba made a couple of big baskets and they reduced the deficit to 1-point with 4 minutes to play. Drama unfolded in the final 4 minutes of the game.

With 1:28 to go, Ayikobua Brian gave Nkumba the lead with a 3-point shot. Shortly after, Opio Emmanuel scored to give the lead back to Berkley. Steven Katabira made the game level from the free throw line before Caesar Adoke made a turnover that Nkumba capitalized on with a Jireh Apita layup. This was about 50 seconds to play and the worst was yet to come for Berkley. They made a turnover on their next possession and once again Nkumba capitalized and made it a 4-point victory.

Arop Mahol registered a huge double-double with 13 points, 20 rebounds and 3 steals. Steven Katabira led the scoring with 15 points whike Jireh Apita and Ayikobua Brian each had 10 points.

Opio Emmanuel led the scoring for Berkley with 14 points while Duot Ajang registered a 10 points and 11 rebounds double-double.

The games shall resume on Sunday 20th and there is a lot of potential for upsets. All shall games shall be at the Hamz Stadium in Nakivubo.