City Oilers qualify for FIBA Africa Champions Cup 2017

KAMPALA(FIBA Africa Champions Cup 2017) - City Oilers won their second straight FIBA Africa Zone 5 Clubs Championship trophy after seeing off Patriots of Rwanda 86-59 in the Final on Saturday in the Ugandan capital. 

As result the Ugandan side book ticket at this year's FIBA Africa Champions Cup which will take place from December 8-17 in the Tunisian city of Rades.

In a repeat of the last Group A tie, many a fan expected a closely contested encounter as was the case on Tuesday(October 3) but Mandy Juruni's side had other plans. 

The home side, who enjoyed the backing of a fully packed Lugogo Indoor Arena, got behind their side who led 22-20 at the end of the first quarter. 

Patriots tried to stay in the game but the Oilers led by eventual MVP Jordan Mayes were explosive on offense and lethal on defense to hold a 10-point lead at the half time break 48-38. 

The Rwandan champions tried everything on offense but their shots were off the mark and they paid for it when the Oilers made it count on the other end of the court. 

City Oilers established a 69-51 lead at the end of the third quarter and when they scored 15 points and limited Patriots to just five in the opening five minutes of the last quarter to lead 84-56, it was evident that the latter had succumbed to defeat. 

"It was very important for the club to win this tournament because we organized it, are defending champions and we wanted to go back to the FIBA Africa Champions Cup.'' -Juruni

Mayes amassed a game high 21 points while teammates shooting guard Robinson Opong Odoch and center Adarius Pegues added 15 and 14 points respectively to inspire City Oilers. 

In an exclusive interview with FIBA.basketball, City Oilers head coach Mandy Juruni said, "We assembled a good team that we thought would win this championship but also looking ahead at a team that can compete in Africa. I thought we started a little bit slow but we caught up as the tournament progressed."

"It was very important for the club to win this tournament because we organized it, are the defending champions and we wanted to go back to the FIBA Africa Champions Cup."

FIBA