LeBron James and err…. Ariel Okal. The field is not commonplace for non-believers and ‘The Doctor’ as he is popularly known is not contemplating on being one. The quest for another piece of hardware in his ever beaming trophy cabinet is very clear as his Namuwongo Blazers side 3-1 series deficit in the FUBA National Basketball League finals to the perennial champs City Oilers on Wednesday evening.At 32 years of age, Okal boasts having won five championships: double Kenya Basketball Federation champion with Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), two time National Basketball League champion with Tanzania’s Don Bosco Savio, and the latest gong being the Oman League Sultan Cup won by his former side Al Bashaer.Okal is used to winning, and despite a stinging 77-74 loss to the seven time champions City Oilers in Game 4 on Wednesday night, the versatile forward is not thinking about reuniting with his family on a long vacation.Silver for KPA as Egypt’s ASC lift Zone Five title“Down but not out. We understand that we are in a deep hole, we have to win three in a row.” Okal told Mozzart Sport straight after the game, where he posted 3 points, 8 rebounds, 5 steals and 2 assists off the bench, averaging 21:53 minutes on the floor.“We had a poor approach, technically.” He adds, this time referring to the ghosts that still seem to be hovering over the Blazers side; giving up leads and turning the ball over at an alarming rate.##NAJAVA_MECA_6697009##The Namuwongo Blazers had managed to turn around a 35-31 deficit at halftime with a big 20-14 advantage in the third quarter before falling short 28-23 in the final period:“We failed to close it as usual. I needed the ball in my hand. I didn’t get it.” Okal adds, referencing the late 4 point lead in the last couple of minutes that couldn’t stand. Shades of Game 3 repeated all over again, when Oiler’s Luak Ruai hit a dagger but Okal is sensing a comeback; “The only positives from tonight is that we still have three games to go and most importantly, the guys are believing.”The aforementioned Luak Ruai led the City Oilers with a team high 16 points, 3 assists and 3 rebounds from the bench with the forward and center pair of James Okello and Francis Chijioke respectively adding 10 points each.Deng Dikong led the way for Stephen Nyeko’s side with 22 points, 8 rebounds and 5 steals with Amisi Saidi (Carmelo) and Paul Odong all scoring 14 points each.Harambee Stars up one place in the latest FIFA rankingsOf concern however is the lack of playing time for fellow Kenyan and former Kenya Basketball Federation MVP Kenneth Wachira due to the league’s foreigner rule – “Kenneth hasn’t played a game yet. We need to get him involved at some point.” Noted Okal.As for now, the 24 total turnovers by the Blazers will be top on the agenda as the team prepares for what they hope will be 3 games shoot-out coming up:“I want to see more urgency from us in the next game. I, being a veteran, promise to be more solid. Offensively I will do whatever it takes to get myself to spots where I can be useful. That’s all we need.”The series continues with Game 5 scheduled for Friday night at Lugogo. In the women’s finals, the JKL Lady Dolphins registered a 59-50 victory over the UCU Lady Canons to take up a commanding 3-1 series lead.
