Wolves survive Rebels to renew QBC rivalry

Unam Wolves survived one final scare from Unam Rebels to book another shot at defending champions Quality Basketball Club (QBC) when the Khomas Basketball Association (KBA) Premier League playoff final series gets underway at Unam Gym Hall on Saturday.Wolves had to grind their way through a spirited Rebels side that pushed their semi-final playoff series to game six before Reggie Kauami (#1) knocked down a late pull-up jump shot to seal a dramatic 75-73 victory at the same venue last Saturday.The basket completed a 4-2 series victory for Wolves in a contest in which Rebels had several opportunities to send the series to a deciding game seven. There was also a touch of irony to how it eventually ended.Just four days earlier, Peter Parker Mainza (#7) had kept Rebels alive by sinking a buzzer-beating right-handed jump hook to hand Wolves an 85-83 game-five defeat.Mainza produced a game-high 22 points on seven-of-11 shooting, including a perfect three-from-three from beyond the arc, as Rebels cut what had been a 3-1 series deficit to 3-2.Last Saturday, however, it was Kauami who delivered with a pull-up jump shot when Wolves needed it most.Kauami answers MainzaGame six had little between the sides from the opening tip-off, with Wolves taking a 21-20 advantage after the first quarter before Rebels responded to carry a 40-37 lead into the break.The teams could still not be separated after three quarters at 55-55, but Rebels appeared to have finally gained control when they stretched their lead to a game-high eight points at 69-61 in the fourth.Wolves refused to go away and gradually worked themselves back into the contest as Rebels’ grip began to loosen.Rebels were also dealt a blow when Mike Mukumbutaa (#10) fouled out in the fourth quarter after producing a game-high 25 points and 20 rebounds.Even without one of their key players on the floor, Rebels still had the chance to close the game from the free-throw line.With the scores locked at 73-73 in the dying seconds, they squandered five free-throw opportunities before Kauami punished them at the other end with the pull-up jump shot that ultimately separated the sides.Difficult night at the lineThose misses summed up a difficult night at the line for Rebels, who converted just seven of their 21 free throws for 33.3%, while Wolves made 14 of 20 at 70%. That proved costly in a game in which Rebels otherwise enjoyed several advantages.They shot 36.2% from the field compared with Wolves’ 31%, outrebounded them 62-58 and held a 42-36 advantage in points in the paint.Rebels also spent more time in front, leading for 24 minutes and 40 seconds compared with Wolves’ eight minutes and ten seconds. Wolves, however, found enough production elsewhere to stay within striking distance.They doubled Rebels 28-14 in fast-break points and enjoyed a 30-9 advantage in bench scoring, while also turning turnovers into 26 points compared with Rebels’ 21.Shooting guard Denzel Karaseb (#7) was among those who stepped up with 16 points and six assists, posting a team-high efficiency rating of 22. In his post-match thoughts, Karaseb gave Rebels credit for their valiant effort.“Shoutout to Rebels. A very good team. They gave us a very difficult series. All glory to God of course that we have made it. Shoutout to my teammates as well, [who] really balled today. I am surrounded by a group of really talented guys,” he said.Karaseb noted that their focus now shifts to the final series as they get another crack at a puzzle they came close to solving last season.“Hopefully, we’re ready for the finals [this time round]. I’ll see you guys there. Please come watch.”QBC await in championship rematchWolves’ reward is another meeting with QBC in a championship series that carries plenty of history from last season.The same two sides contested the 2025 Premier League final, when Wolves appeared to have one hand on the championship after winning the opening two games 102-94 and 86-83.QBC’s 96-77 response came in game three, after which they stormed to victories of 88-80, 90-85 and 105-96 to reel off four straight wins and overturn the two-game deficit for a 4-2 series victory. It delivered QBC their first-ever Premier League championship.Wolves II complete turnaroundThe Division One playoff final will pit Unam Wolves II against Unam Cadets after Wolves II wrapped up their semi-final series against Team Allies last Tuesday.Wolves II entered the encounter leading 2-1 and completed the job with a 78-65 victory to take the best-of-five series 3-1.They had to do it the hard way after Allies raced into a 23-9 first-quarter lead and still held a 37-32 advantage at half-time.Wolves II turned the contest around after the break, exploding for 30 points while restricting Allies to 15 in the third quarter to transform their five-point half-time deficit into a 62-52 lead. They then took the fourth quarter 16-13 to complete the turnaround.The victory also completed Wolves II’s recovery from losing the opening game of the series 95-67. They responded with successive wins of 63-61, 63-58 and 78-65 to book their place in Saturday’s final.They will meet a Cadets side that required only three games to dispatch Nust Reapers, winning 74-56, 64-53 and 52-45 to complete a 3-0 sweep.Phoenix, Ongos meet againThe Women’s Premier League will also serve up a familiar championship pairing, with four-time defending champions Unam Phoenix and Ongos Shooting Stars set to contest the final for a second successive season.Phoenix have made another dominant run to the championship series, sweeping Basketball Artists School (BAS) Falcons 4-0.Ongos had a tougher road against Nust Dodgers, but recovered from a 50-49 game-two defeat to eventually claim the series 4-1.The pairing brings the two sides back together a year after Phoenix completed an unbeaten championship series against Shooting Stars.– mariud@nsh.com.na

Wolves survive Rebels to renew QBC rivalry

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