09 October 2006
UGANDA : Warriors And Power Lead Playoff Season
By Gloria Kyomugisha
Kampala
SADOLIN Power coach Andrew Bazira has defended playmaker Wilbrod Oketcho from criticism ahead of the team's playoff tie against Warriors.
Oketcho, commonly known as Ox, has taken a lot of stick for not reproducing the kind of form that earned him the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award during the 2000 MTN Basketball League.
The Power forward has struggled to inspire the 2000 champions in their sluggish end to the regular season.
"It is okay to criticise a star for non-performance, but we must bear in mind that he is not a robot and not forget the fact that he is human," Bazira retorted.
"All the same, Ox has and will always be a fundamental player for us who will compliment the other players on the team in today's match-up."
Power's guard trio of Allan Tawodda, Mark Enabu and Richard Balemwa will start today's match against Warriors' vastly improved Ronnie Kasewu, top scorer Stephen Okias and Brian Rugyendo.
Ox on the other hand is expected to revive his glory days when he battles Warriors' leading rebounder Brian Gumisiriza as Kenyan import Michael Kariuki matches up against Warriors' Nelson Wafula in this neck-to-neck encounter.
Warriors, who fell 2-0 to Nkumba-Marines at the playoff semi-final stage last season, are hoping they can put those memories behind them as they aim for their first-ever league title.Meanwhile, former champions Lady Bucks face a women's playoff tie against little-known Kampala International University Rangers.
Lady Bucks v KIU 3.30pm
Warriors v Power 5pm
Kampala
SADOLIN Power coach Andrew Bazira has defended playmaker Wilbrod Oketcho from criticism ahead of the team's playoff tie against Warriors.
Oketcho, commonly known as Ox, has taken a lot of stick for not reproducing the kind of form that earned him the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award during the 2000 MTN Basketball League.
The Power forward has struggled to inspire the 2000 champions in their sluggish end to the regular season.
"It is okay to criticise a star for non-performance, but we must bear in mind that he is not a robot and not forget the fact that he is human," Bazira retorted.
"All the same, Ox has and will always be a fundamental player for us who will compliment the other players on the team in today's match-up."
Power's guard trio of Allan Tawodda, Mark Enabu and Richard Balemwa will start today's match against Warriors' vastly improved Ronnie Kasewu, top scorer Stephen Okias and Brian Rugyendo.
Ox on the other hand is expected to revive his glory days when he battles Warriors' leading rebounder Brian Gumisiriza as Kenyan import Michael Kariuki matches up against Warriors' Nelson Wafula in this neck-to-neck encounter.
Warriors, who fell 2-0 to Nkumba-Marines at the playoff semi-final stage last season, are hoping they can put those memories behind them as they aim for their first-ever league title.Meanwhile, former champions Lady Bucks face a women's playoff tie against little-known Kampala International University Rangers.
Lady Bucks v KIU 3.30pm
Warriors v Power 5pm
# posted by afrbk : 17:54
