By Josiah Ekong
UCU Lady Canons head into Game Three of the 2026 National Basketball League Finals against JT Lady Jaguars with a 2–0 series lead, following their 65–61 victory, and the chance to move within one win of their first league title since 2022.
The two sides return to Lugogo Indoor Arena on Wednesday, with the Lady Canons looking to take what Coach Nicholas Natuhereza describes as the most important game of the series.
Despite winning the opening two games, Natuhereza says his side is not getting carried away.
“Yes, I think so in our minds that as much as we are quite close, we can’t get carried away. We still have a lot of work to do, and we need to focus on that,” Natuhereza told The Standard.
The Lady Canons have fallen at this stage of a playoff series before, failing to close out an opponent when the opportunity presented itself. It is an experience Natuhereza says remains fresh in the minds of the players and coaching staff.
“This is the kind of game that we have failed to get over in the last couple of seasons. Hopefully, we will be able to do that. We have been preparing ourselves for that since after the last game,” he said.
UCU returned to training after Game Two and held another session ahead of Wednesday’s fixture as they look for improvement despite their commanding position in the series.
“As much as we have won the past two games, I feel like we can be better,” Natuhereza said.
“The players know that as well, and the coaching staff know that. Right now, the focus is on whether we can improve and play much better in Game Three.”
Martina Anyango and Sylvia Nantongo have led the Lady Canons’ scoring through the opening two games, with their performances under the basket playing a major role in UCU’s 2–0 advantage.
Their form has also placed them firmly on the Jaguars’ radar, and Natuhereza expects JT to adjust their approach in an attempt to limit the influence of UCU’s bigs.
“If they adjust, which we expect them to do, and maybe limit the bigs, then on our end, we need to make sure that we react to that as well,” he said.
For the UCU coach, the expected attention on Anyango and Nantongo should create opportunities elsewhere on the floor.
“It’s usually tough for you to take away every weapon that the other team has. Hopefully the other players can step up and take the opportunities,” Natuhereza said.
He added that the Lady Canons have other ways to hurt opponents and will need contributions across the team if the Jaguars succeed in slowing down their two leading performers.
“We have had games where we have been firing on all cylinders, both the bigs and the guards. There are many ways to be successful and to score.”
Meanwhile, forward Sylvia Nakituuka remains a doubt for Wednesday’s game. Natuhereza said the final decision on her availability will be made before the team leaves for the fixture.
“As of right now, we are operating with the mindset that she will be available,” he said.
“It could mean that she suits up and maybe is not 100 per cent, but she will still suit up. If we feel she is not in a position to play, she will not play. If she can play but maybe not as much, we will do that. And if she can play fully, we shall definitely engage her.”
A victory in Game Three would give the Lady Canons a 3–0 lead in the best-of-seven finals and place them one win away from a ninth National Basketball League title.
For Natuhereza, however, the series remains far from finished.
“The focus is on Game Three,” he said. “It will give us a huge advantage. We would like to take that.”
