Oilers’ Lugora in a class of his own

Mchenga BBall Stars captain Mohamed Yusuph (right) tries to make his way past Erick Lugora of TMT during a past match. Lugora now features for Oilers Club. PHOTO|FILE

Dar es Salaam. Given the manner in which he has gone about his basketball profession over the past two years, referring to him as a talented player seems insufficient.

He is not only buzzing in front of basket, but he’s oozing confidence as well.

He has emerged as one of the contenders for the top honour in this season’s Dar es Salaam Regional Basketball Association (RBA) League.

This is none other than Erick Lugora, one of the players Oilers bank on for points during their RBA games.

Lugora has netted 126 points for Oilers so far, seven ahead of his closest challenger Baraka Sadick of JKT.

“My form has been good for me and the team as well. I’ve got the support of the team and the players,” Lugora said in an interview with The Citizen yesterday.

He believes that the remaining matches in the RBA will be a stepping stone in his quest to become the top scorer.

“Looking at the remaining games, I still think that there’s an opportunity (to win the top goal scorer award),” he said.

“I’ve got to continue working hard and being consistent. I still think that it’s possible,” he added.

Also in the race for the top scorer award are Emanuel Mwendo from Tanzania Prisons and Oilers’ Harrison Banda, who have 113 and 107 points respectively.

Erick Kahangwa of Prisons is now fifth-placed with 97 points, 12 ahead of sixth-placed Haji Mbegu of JKT.

Others doing well in marksmanship with points they have scored in bracket include Evance Kamola of DB Young Stars (71), Tanzania Prisons’ Abel Linus (69), Gidibo Tindwa of Pazi (69) and Mwalimu Heri of Vijana (66).

The RBA League, which features top basketball teams in Dar es Salaam, is now inching towards the home stretch.