Gritty Oilers stun Pazi in RBA League clash

Prisons guard Richard Rovers (centre) fights for the ball with Pazi players during a past RBA League game at the National Inbdoor Stadium.photo | FILE

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The match started in a cracking pace with both teams displaying impressive basketball skills to the delight of their fans. Both sides sustained a fighting spirit with their fans cheering and urging the players to either attack or defend.

Dar es Salaam. Oilers put up a spirited fight to stun Pazi 80-46 in an exciting Regional Basketball Association (RBA) League quarter-final game at the National Indoor Stadium on Monday night.

The match started in a cracking pace with both teams displaying impressive basketball skills to the delight of their fans. Both sides sustained a fighting spirit with their fans cheering and urging the players to either attack or defend.

Oilers, seeking a revenge against Pazi, started on a strong footing, scoring droves of points in quick succession with Erick John and Evance Davids running the show.

John notched three pointer thrice, had four assists and two steals apart from four turn overs in the thrilling game. Oilers began with a 22-15 lead in the first quarter, but Pazi, once one of the best teams in the country as East Africa as a whole, came out a more aggressive side in the second quarter to claim an 18-13 lead.

Their efforts, however, could not stop Oilers winning the third quarter as they completely outsmarted their opponents.

John was instrumental in the team’s deserved win as he scored and created many scoring opportunities to his team mates.

Oilers’ Evance David posted 22 points, Hussein Idd added 18 before Shaffi Songoro netted 12.

Chriss Abuto was a notable player for former Mainland champions Pazi as he fired home 15 points while his teammate Shaffi Songoro added 12 more points to the team.