When Nam Blazers played struggling Kampala Rockets midweek, they showed no effort on defense in the 88-75 win.
Two days later, the Blazers played like there was a point to prove, and they did. In the final game of the Friday schedule at Lugogo Indoor Arena, the defending champions limited Sommet to 41 points in the 41-point blowout to ascend to 9-1 for the season.
Right from tip off, it was clear Sommet (6-5) were in for a daunting task. Henry Ssebagala, Ivan Muhwezi, Peter Obleng, Moses Mugisha and Arthur Wanyoto started for the Blazers and waiting on the bench were Tonny Drileba, Jimmy Enabu, Innocent Ochera, Franck Nyembo, Anthony Chukwurah, James Okelllo, and skipper Michael Makiadi. Now, that’s opulence defined.
A 22-15 opening quarter flatters to deceive. Each of Sommet’s 15 points was hard work, and it’s no surprise that they did not score more than 10 the rest of the quarters.
Peter Cheng and Joseph Chuma, the go-to players on the offensive end for Sommet, were suffocated, combining for 14 points on a 6-for-28 shooting, and that is only half the story. Defensively, the pair, along with JohnTeko, had no solution for Nyembo (14 points), Chukwurah (16 points, 6 rebounds), and Mugisha (13 points, 6 rebounds).
In the back court, Ssebagala continues to take advantage of the trust from the coaches and contributes significantly on both ends as returning Drileba is eased back into the lineup.
Peter Obleng (14 points) is finally leaning into his potential, playing the game in the way. He has been put in a position to succeed, learning to take advantage of every mismatch that is created for him to exploit in the low post or off the drive on the wing.
The Blazers will complete their first round schedule on Friday, April 10, against the JT Jaguars.
