DTB Clinches Corporate Basketball Title Over Centenary Bank

The third season of the Corporate Sports Network basketball league concluded with a new champion, as Diamond Trust Bank (DTB) edged out Centenary Bank in a nail-biting final. This victory prevented Centenary Bank from securing their second title in three years.

Earlier in the semi-finals, defending champions Case Hospital faced controversy. They were defeated by Centenary Bank, with allegations raised about Case’s star player, Luis Kigongo, being ineligible due to playing elite basketball. Kigongo, the previous year’s MVP, transitioned to coaching, and Case struggled without his on-court presence, falling behind early.

Centenary Bank’s path to the final also saw them exact revenge on Case Hospital, who had eliminated them in the previous year’s semi-finals. This set up an all-bankers final against DTB, who had secured their spot by narrowly beating Roofings Ltd 22-20.

In the championship game, Centenary Bank established a commanding 8-3 lead by halftime, with key contributions from players like Benjamin Omome and Noel Kamugisha, despite the absence of Joseph Otto due to injury. DTB missed numerous opportunities in the first half, making Centenary appear destined for victory.

However, the tide turned dramatically in the second half. Aided by the introduction of substitute Charles Opio and inspired performances from Nickson Tumwine and Eva Nabasirye, DTB mounted a comeback. The score became tied at 14-14, with every possession becoming critical. In the dying seconds, Patrick Brandon Mwesigye of DTB converted two free throws to give his team a slim 18-17 lead.

A final desperate attempt by Centenary’s Joseph Masaba to win the game narrowly missed as the buzzer sounded, sealing the championship for DTB. “At the start, miscommunication cost us… But in the second half we sorted out our mistakes, played as a team and got the victory,” Mwesigye commented after the game. Centenary Bank’s coach expressed hope for a rematch in the upcoming Bankers’ Gala.