Despite failing to qualify for the FUBA National Basketball League playoffs finals this year, Sommet basketball club head coach Albert Aciko takes pride in his team’s performance this season.
“I strongly believe that we can play like Namuwongo did; come and then relax. We have to be intentional about this in the way we develop our players,” he noted.
In their debut top flight campaign, the Kansanga based side finished second in the regular season before overcoming KCCA Panthers in the play-offs quarterfinals to book a semifinal spot.
Basketball coach Emanuel Gashugi believes that Sommet outdid themselves the fact that they went to semifinals in their debut season and put up a challenge against the record winners and defending champions City Oilers.
Franklin Kaweru, a sports journalist and Joseph Mugenyi, a basketball enthusiast believe that heading to the semi finals was also a surprise not only to the Sommet fans, but the local basketball fraternity as a whole.
The side that was renamed from Our Savior at the start of the campaign to gain top tier status lost their decisive game five 79-70 against 10-time record champions City Oilers to conclude an impressive performance.
“I was excited for us to play game five, but the depth and experience that City Oilers had just destroyed us,” revealed Aciko.
Captain Mark Ngobi who played a key role in the side also believes the team had a season to remember.
“I believe that our true identity came in the second round. When we joined the play-offs, we developed the urge to win. We had a goal of finishing in the top four and us playing at the semifinals meant something big,” he says.
The club also looks to have a bright future under the leadership of Nasser Sserunjogi, who is also the FUBA President, according to Aciko. “I believe the young players we have are still able and have not yet hit their prime. If we can get those young players to become double-digit players in every game that can take us so high.
Defending champions City Oilers take on Namuwongo Blazers in the best of seven finals with Oilers chasing their 11th straight title while Namuwongo Blazers remain in search of their maiden triumph.
The National basketball league finals series will be broadcast live on NBS Spot and the Afromobile.
