Ariel Okall eyeing sixth career championship

Friday night will offer Kenya Morans' Ariel Okall a shot at winning yet another international club championship as the curtains come down on Uganda’s top tier basketball league.

Okall's Namuwongo Blazers battle City Oilers in Game Seven of the FUBA National Basketball League best-of-seven final.

The highly anticipated match-up tips off at 9pm Kenyan time at the MTN Arena in Lugogo.

Being his first Game Seven in an illustrious 12-year career that dates back to turning out for Nakuru Club in 2010, Okall will be leading Blazers to history for a first league triumph in what is the team’s first stab into the post-season.

What another title would mean for Ariel Okal

The excitement was visible, from the fans pouring inside the MTN Arena as Nam Blazers dribbled out the ball to level the once one-sided series at 3-3.

In the midst of the countless Nam Blazers fans' trucks booming their way around the streets of Namuwongo, Kampala, Okall's voice, is a picture of calm maturity.

“As you already know, the best two words in sports are Game Seven! It's been a long time coming, from Game Five to here, all we can do is be mentally sober. We have been involved in a lot of close contests, this will surely be another one, our job is barely halfway done,” Offered Okall in an interview with Mozzart Sport.

The six foot nine forward who admits to be jamming to Nas and Damian Marley’s hit-song Patience for his daily motivation also believes that this game will offer an opportunity not only to end the City Oilers dominance, but to kick-start the young Blazers side's exploits in international tournaments.

“We ae basically newcomers in this league. Just got promoted three years ago and I want to be part of this team’s history. The Oilers domination has to come to an end. Getting that qualification to the Basketball Africa League (BAL) qualifiers next year will be great for us.”

City Oilers, christened the Dictators, are boasting of an incredible seven-straight league championships record running back from 2013, the last certified triumph coming in similar fashion to this year, a Game Seven victory over the UCU Canons in 2019.

Nam Blazers dominated the regular season match-up between the two teams, seeing off the Oilers 2-0; a 72-65 season opening win in March, before overcoming a 23 points deficit to beat the latter 63-61 in July.

The playoff final has enjoyed tight contests thus far, with Game Five going into overtime and none of the games won in double digits.

With a trophy presentation expected after the game, Okall who has three double-double performances in the final is eyeing the Final's Most Valuable Player (MVP) trophy, that he acknowledges is going to a player from the winning side.

“The competition for the MVP trophy will be huge. I can rack in three other names from our team that have the potential to win it. Amisi Saidi (better known as Carmelo), Christopher Omanye and Deng Dikong will all be in the conversation. The major thing will be for us to secure the dub first. Individual accolades will be an after-thought.”

Relishing tonight’s opportunity, the journeyman is confident about his team's toughness, with the recent comeback supporting his case.

"Oilers dared us and here we are. We have championship experience in this squad and even as high as the magnitude is for this one, most of us have been here before and we can do it.

I love bright lights too. I am used to closing out the final series early but I don’t have that much pressure. I know what needs to be done on Friday," the forward offered but remained tight-lipped to what weapons they would employ on Friday night.

“Our coach, Stephen Escodata, has been magnificent. His play calling and adjustments within games has been key for us. The calmness you see from our guys stems from his leadership.” Okall added.

Sticking to strict pre-games routine will be a well-known old path routine for Okall

“I will have my usual rice chicken with some veggies for lunch. Plenty of water must be in the discussion. My usual two-hour power nap and a shoot-around session will follow in the afternoon to loosen up. Ocean salt and maple syrup will be my ‘food’ during the game, just for replenishing.”

He is expected to rock either the New Balance yellows or the Purple Greek Freak 2 shoes, will also be banking on the red ruby ring he wears to games to provide some good luck charm, accompanied by the now famous ritual of keeping to the left most seat in the locker room as he gathers his ‘good spirits’.

“Ever hungry and staying motivated. C’mon!" the 32 year old veteran caps off the interview, promising to finish up what he started.