NBL Finals: Okal rises highest to keep the Blazers alive

What The Doctor demands, the Doctor gets – Kenya Moran’s Ariel Okal was a different beast as he produced yet another individual masterstroke to lead the Namuwongo Blazers to 70-65 overtime victory over the seven-time champions, City Oilers in an exciting Game 5 of the FUBA National Basketball League at the MTN Arena in Lugogo.

Okal notched a game-high 19 points and 16 rebounds to record his third double-double in the NBL Finals, this time starting at center for Stephen Nyeko’s side. The 32-year-old played out of his limits, spending a total of 40:31 minutes on the floor while marking 3 assists, 1 steal, and a block, shooting at 39% from the field and with a plus-minus of 10 in the nervy encounter.

“Am just a happy man. We simply heeded to the call. There was no way we were going to lose this one. Am very proud of my guys for staying composed and eventually closing the game. They played their hearts out tonight.” Okal exclusively told Mozzart Sport straight after the game.

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“We did all the right things tonight. Huge credit to the coach [Stephen Nyeko] for doing a great job on the rotations. It was all about us improving on our defense and most importantly, maintaining our cool. We all needed that composure especially in overtime. So happy that we got the job done,” he added.

Notably the leader of the team, Okal admits to have rallied the boys before tipoff with some seemingly simple but heavy words:

“You all know what you’re supposed to do. It’s this simple: Oilers shouldn’t celebrate tonight. There shouldn’t be a trophy presentation tonight.”

The Doctor, with his vast experience, believes that it is going to be about the Blazers handling one game at a time.

“One more. We just need to win the next one then focus on Game 7,” he opined.

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On spending 40 minutes on the floor, Okal was full of praise for his trainers saying, “I know I played a lot of minutes but I have a great team of guys who make sure that my body is solid. My physios are doing a commendable job.”

The Blazers had to endure a tough first quarter, going 17-9 down, something Okal says unbothered the team as they went on to take the next two quarters winning 21-14 and 16-10, before surrendering a seven-point lead late in the fourth quarter to head into overtime with the scores tied at 58 each.

“I don’t like our closing. We fouled the jump shooters twice and almost fumbled it again.” Kenya’s Mr. Versatile noted but seemed pleased with the 12-7 advantage in overtime.

Another Kenyan, Kenneth Wachira, again did not get himself on the court but Okal insists that he is having conversations with the management to see how he at least enjoys some minutes on the floor in Game 6 on Sunday at Lugogo.

Kenya's outing by numbers as AfroBasket concludes

Deng Dikong, the night’s player of the game, notched a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds for the Namuwongo Blazers with the duo of Amisi Saidi and Daniel Monoja (off the bench) recording double figures in the victory. On the other end, it was a tough night for The Dictators as only one player, Francis Chijoke hit double figures in the defeat.

There was a similar fate in the women’s finals as the UCU Lady Canons staged an upset to beat the JKL Dolphins 62-48, extending the series to a Game 6. Both games take place on Saturday at the MTN Basketball Arena.