BAL Qualifiers: Do Or Die For City Oilers After Loss To Patriots

City Oilers lost to Patriots on Saturday. FIBA

Saturday, December 21
*Maputo 90-94 GNBC
*Patriots 81-59 City Oilers

Sunday, December 22
Bronze Match: City Oilers Vs Maputo
Final: Patriots Vs GNBC

City Oilers are at this critical stage after falling 59-81 against hosts Patriots in a semifinal game while Maputo also lost 90-94 against GNBC on Saturday.

Winner between City Oilers and Ferroviario Maputo will qualify to 2020 BAL Qualifiers in what will be a do or die bronze match in the magnificent Kigali Arena, Rwanda.

Oilers go all guns blazing in BAL Qualifiers

The two finalists – Patriots and GNBC – booked their tickets to the inaugural BAL, with Oilers and Maputo set to fight for the remaining lucrative ticket.

Patriots had beaten Oilers 74-63 in the first window of qualifiers held in Dar Es Salam in Tanzania back in October.

Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame (red) watched the game BAL Qualifiers semifinal between City Oilers and Patriots on court side. FIBA
Action between City Oilers (blue) and Patriots in the Kigali Arena. FIBA

Guibert Njimbere led the way with a game high 14 points, Kenny Gasana and Ally Ruzigande contributed 11 and 10 points while former Oilers big man Adarius Pegues managed nine points to sink Uganda’s six time back to back league champions.

None of Oilers players scored in double digits; Jordin Mayes and Tyray Petty had nine each, while the trio of Robinson Opong, James Okello and Jimmy Enabu managed eight points each.

Also read: City Oilers Thrash Cobra in BAL

Patriots’ Adarius Pegues celebrates after beating former team City Oilers in BAL Qualifiers semi. FIBA
City Oilers’ Robinson Opong (13) in action. FIBA

Oilers failed to get out of the blocks right from onset, trailing 42-23 at halftime, and failed to recover thereafter in a game they shot 22-for-72 from the field and missed 20-of-24 attempts from deep.

Their encounter against Ferroviario Maputo will be a repeat of Group B clash that saw Mandy Juruni’s side lose 87-92.

BAL Qualifiers semis: Oilers (blue) were second best against Patriots. FIBA
GNBC to face Patriots in BAL Qualifiers final. Both teams have booked a place in next year’s inaugural BAL. FIBA

More on BAL Qualifiers, visit official page here

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