For long stretches at YMCA Court on Friday night, Sommet Basketball Club looked like they might script the shock of the season. They clawed back from 13 points down in the first quarter, threatened to erase a double-digit gap in the third, and even forced a nervy spell where both sides went scoreless for five minutes.
But in the end, the champions’ pedigree was too much to overcome. City Oilers steadied themselves in crunch time and pulled clear for a 79-70 victory that sealed their place in yet another National Basketball League final — their 11th in succession.
Sommet’s rally was sparked by Peter Cheng’s efficiency and the determination of Fataki Nyembo, who chipped in with 13 points, while Mark Ngobi also contributed 12. Their spirited third-quarter surge brought the deficit down to just three (53-50), and for a brief moment, the underdogs looked capable of breaking Oilers’ iron grip on the league.
Then came the inevitable pushback. Mer Maker’s inside play proved unstoppable, dropping 23 points to lead all scorers, while Kurt Wegscheider and Chad Bowie added 20 and 19 respectively. That trio’s composure ensured the Oilers restored a double-digit cushion by the close of the third period (71-59), snuffing out Sommet’s momentum.
For Sommet, it was a glimpse of what could be if consistency meets their flashes of brilliance. For the Oilers, it was business as usual — another test passed, another final reached, and another reminder that their dynasty is still intact.
