The Scottish Event Campus (SEC) bore witness to a historic milestone on Tuesday as Uganda’s women’s 3×3 basketball team (Uganda Gazelles) punched its ticket to the Commonwealth Games semifinals.
Displaying relentless energy and tactical mastery, the debutants brushed past Tonga with a decisive 21-12 victory in a high-stakes playoff clash.
Uganda arrived at the knockout phase riding a wave of momentum, having captured four victories out of five matches to finish second in Pool A, with their only blemish coming against a powerhouse Australian side.
Meanwhile, Tonga fought their way through Pool B as the third-seeded squad with a 3-2 record. Expectations pointed toward a tightly contested battle, but the East Africans quickly turned the script into a masterclass of control.
Right from the opening whistle, the Gazelles’ offence clicked into high gear. Operating with blistering pace, Uganda carved out a commanding 9-3 cushion just three minutes into the contest.
They never looked back, tightening the defensive screws on a depleted Tongan roster that was forced to manage the game with only three available players.
Capitalising on their opponents’ fatigue and numerical disadvantage, the Ugandans extended their cushion into a comfortable 10-point lead that effectively sealed the outcome.
Individual brilliance underpinned the team triumph. Jane Asinde spearheaded the charge once again, imposing her will on both ends of the floor to finish with 10 points and six rebounds.
Melissa Akullu chipped in heavily with six points and five rebounds, while Jamila Nansikombi added four points, punctuated by the game-winning shot that triggered celebrations on the sideline.
With the quarterfinal hurdle cleared, attention now shifts to a monumental test on Wednesday. The Gazelles are set to clash with an undefeated New Zealand side in the semifinals.
While the Kiwi team presents a daunting challenge, Uganda’s journey in Glasgow has proven its capacity to punch above its weight. Armed with unyielding resilience, the debutants stand just one step away from guaranteeing themselves a historic podium finish.
