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Yahya Waguma’s charges, however, got the last laugh, taking the decisive 19-17 to level the series and force a decider.
With their backs against the wall in the National Volleyball League semi-final playoff series, OBB fought back to win Game Two and force a decider.
The defending champions edged Sport-S 3-2 in a tightly-contested clash at the Old Kampala Arena Sunday night to ensure the series stretched to Game Three.
The thrilling encounter went to the wire, with both sides struggling to close it out in the decisive set.
Sport-S started on the front foot, with their excellent reception allowing setter Marino Oboke to have several options on offence.
Samuel Engwau troubled OBB’s net defence through the middle, while Augustine Odongo and Thon Maker did the damage on the outside.
The regular season top seed took the first set 25-22 and looked the better side.
But when the right first pass eluded Benon Mugisha’s side in the second set, OBB pounced to take the frame 25-21 and get back in the game.
Jonathan Tumukunde found some rhythm on offence while libero Sharif Nabbanji gave the Iganga-based side cover defence in the backcourt.
OBB then carried the momentum into the third frame against a Sport-S side in sixes and sevens.
Maker failed to receive OBB’s paced serve and asked for a substitution.
Fellow South Sudanese Michael Mangon momentarily replaced him before returning into the fray.
OBB were striking through Cosmas Apunyo and Kelvin Kiplagat, who was eventually stretchered off after landing badly late in the game.
Ivan Ongom came off the bench to give OBB the required experience to get over the line.
Sport-S took charge of the fourth frame, leading by as many as five points midway, but OBB’s late charge saw Mugisha’s men just holding on for a 25-23 triumph to force a decisive set.
And at the switch of sides, Sport-S held a one-point lead, which stretched to three 12-09 with the finish line in sight.
OBB captain Nabanji led from the front with immense backcourt defence that allowed the team several second-chance points.
OBB came back in it, and the two sides had opportunities to close out the game, but unforced errors in the service box and great defence dominated the last stages of the clash.
Yahya Waguma’s charges, however, got the last laugh, taking the decisive 19-17 to level the series and force a decider.
Meanwhile, Sport-S Ladies defeated OBB Queens 3-1 to become the first team to book a slot in this year’s finals.
National Volleyball League Playoffs
Women
OBB 1-3 Sport-S (20-25, 25-20, 20-25, 21-25)
Men
OBB 3-2 Sport-S (22-25, 25-21, 25-17, 23-19, 19-17)
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