Ulinzi out to shoot Uganda Oilers in FIBA Zone V final

National champions Ulinzi Warriors will face Uganda titleholders and favourites, City Oilers in the finals of the 2016 FIBA Africa Zone V Clubs Basketball Championship after edging their controversial nail-biting semi final against Patriots from Rwanda 64-62 in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania on Thursday night.

The Oilers pulverised Kenya’s United States International University 74-36 in the lop-sided first semi final with their coach Mandi Juruni warning the Warriors to expect much of the same in the clash for the regional title Ulinzi are eyeing to bring home for the first time since 2004.

The final buzzer sparked contrasting emotions on the court following the cliff-hanger in the second semi with the Kenyan soldiers who covered themselves in the national flag celebrating victory in song and dance as their Rwandese rivals slumped to the floor in tears and despair.

Led by their coach, Henry Muinuka, Patriots had their spirited protests against what they claimed was victory robbed turned down by officials after claiming a three-pointer sunk by their captain, Kazingufu Kubimwana, on the buzzer that would have tilted the outcome in their favour by a point was not recorded.

The enraged tactician stopped referees from signing the score-sheet as his charges hurdled over a reporter to review the video recording in a bid to prove their point.

“We have been denied victory. As far as I am concerned we won this match 65-64.How comes the referee went ahead to sign the score sheet when we had already raised a complaint?” the dejected Muinuka posed.

“We don’t use video clips to rectify mistakes in the game. They can be altered or tampered with,” Fiba Commissioner Henry Shihemi said in dismissing the appeals.

“I told my players to apply the 3-2 defence and that was it. We parked our defence well, boxed out, capitalized on the rebounds and did man to man attack,” Ulinzi coach William Balozi who chose to ignore the controversy said, hailing his side for the victory.

Nothing could separate the sides in the first quarter that ended 18-18 but the Kenyans rallied to take the second 15-8 before Patriots charged after the break to take the final two 12-11 and 24-20.

Erick Mutoro dazzled alongside field captain Victor Odendo, William Ochieng and veteran Ancette Wafula for the Warriors as Balozi closed a fourth final appearance of the competition as he seeks to lead the side to a first crown since 2004.

Ulinzi will take on Ugandan titleholders, City Oilers in the final later Friday after the latter crushed Kenya’s United States International University 76-34 in a lop sided final.

RESULTS

Men’s semis

Ulinzi 64        Patriot (Rwanda)        62

Usiu 34        City Oilers (Uganda) 76