25 October 2009
UGANDA : DMark Power beat Warriors to regular season honours
by Sande Bashaija
Wandegeya
Friday results
UCU Canons 86-89 KIU
DMarkPower 81-74 Warriors
Women
Lady Canons 54-76 Leopards
Today at YMCA
Ndejje v DMark Power
Sparks v Lady Canons
Even without their most expensive signings this season – the Blick brothers Norman and Donald – Dmark Power found little trouble in defeating Warriors 81-74 in an MTN-Fuba League encounter at YMCA Wandegeya on Friday night.
Power signed the Blick brothers at a combined Shs30m in pre-season but the duo were away for an upcountry working trip and their absence was hardly felt as Isaac Afidra’s game high 23 points and Joseph Ikong’s 22 ensured Power emerged regular season champions with one game to spare. Buoyed by a huge expectant crowd, Warriors needed to win by more than two points to earn regular season bragging rights and avenge their bitter 88-90 first round loss to reigning champions Power.
However, without their head coach Gad Eteu, who is attending refresher course in America , Warriors looked beaten after only two minutes of the game. They turned over the ball like a high school team and their defence was calamitous. No surprise that Power led the first quarter 16-19 and were in control 38-26 at halftime.
With a constant 15-point comfortable lead in the third quarter, Power coach Andrew Bazira made substitutions at will and gave all his fringe players a chance to contribute. Abdullahi Ramadhan helped Warriors reduce the deficit late on, finishing with a team high 19 points. Ronnie Kasewu, Joshua Etalu and Kenyan Martin Okwako scored a paltry nine points each as Warriors completed their regular season with three losses. They will now face record champions Falcons for a place in the final.
Earlier, KIU held their nerves to defeat UCU Canons 89-86 in overtime and kept their play-off pursuit on track. They now need victory against Ndejje Angels on Wednesday to book a semi-final date with defending champions DMark Power.
Wandegeya
Friday results
UCU Canons 86-89 KIU
DMarkPower 81-74 Warriors
Women
Lady Canons 54-76 Leopards
Today at YMCA
Ndejje v DMark Power
Sparks v Lady Canons
Even without their most expensive signings this season – the Blick brothers Norman and Donald – Dmark Power found little trouble in defeating Warriors 81-74 in an MTN-Fuba League encounter at YMCA Wandegeya on Friday night.
Power signed the Blick brothers at a combined Shs30m in pre-season but the duo were away for an upcountry working trip and their absence was hardly felt as Isaac Afidra’s game high 23 points and Joseph Ikong’s 22 ensured Power emerged regular season champions with one game to spare. Buoyed by a huge expectant crowd, Warriors needed to win by more than two points to earn regular season bragging rights and avenge their bitter 88-90 first round loss to reigning champions Power.
However, without their head coach Gad Eteu, who is attending refresher course in America , Warriors looked beaten after only two minutes of the game. They turned over the ball like a high school team and their defence was calamitous. No surprise that Power led the first quarter 16-19 and were in control 38-26 at halftime.
With a constant 15-point comfortable lead in the third quarter, Power coach Andrew Bazira made substitutions at will and gave all his fringe players a chance to contribute. Abdullahi Ramadhan helped Warriors reduce the deficit late on, finishing with a team high 19 points. Ronnie Kasewu, Joshua Etalu and Kenyan Martin Okwako scored a paltry nine points each as Warriors completed their regular season with three losses. They will now face record champions Falcons for a place in the final.
Earlier, KIU held their nerves to defeat UCU Canons 89-86 in overtime and kept their play-off pursuit on track. They now need victory against Ndejje Angels on Wednesday to book a semi-final date with defending champions DMark Power.
# posted by afrbk : 18:53
