30 September 2012
UGANDA : Power switch on to halt Falcons streak
Power point guard Ben Komakech registered a double-double. pHOTO BY ISMAIL KEZAALA
Ben Komaketch knows when to run the show. So often, all he needs is his DMark Power teammates to switch on and offer support. When he gets the support, the two-time Airtel National Basketball League defending champions are almost invincible.
Building on Komaketch scoring five of his 13 points in the fourth period, Power played like the team that has reached the last four finals. Falcons’ 14-match winning streak ended, perhaps inevitably.
Friday’s close 79-75 victory at YMCA court had much more than their talisman who also contributed 10 assists.
Friday’s close 79-75 victory at YMCA court had much more than their talisman who also contributed 10 assists.
The night belonged to Joseph Ikong, the 2010 league top scorer, playing on his birthday. His game-high 18 points and seven rebounds papered numerous lacklusture performances. Ikong’s slam dunk with 34 seconds to play delivered the margin and exclamation mark. “We are working on everything,” he said.
Jimmy Enabu added 14 and Isaac Afidra scored 11 points and seven rebounds. The champions, having avenged the 78-66 first round loss, still hold on to third at 16-5. Falcons, now 18-3, are destined for second place as the regular season winds up in a fortnight. “We are just getting started. This will give us momentum,” Afidra declared.
Omondi ejected
Some of the key moments had everything to do with the opposition. Guard Geoff Omondi was ejected for unsporting behaviour in the third quarter. Julius Lutwama joined him in the fourth for accumulating two technical fouls. That meant losing two of their starters. “We lacked discipline,” Gad Eteu, the assistant coach, stated. Abdullahi Ramadhani only changed the wording in his autopsy. “We were very selfish,” Dulah said. Philip Ameny scored 16 points, including 10 of 12 from the foul line, and 11 rebounds but no other Falcons’ player lit up offensively.
Some of the key moments had everything to do with the opposition. Guard Geoff Omondi was ejected for unsporting behaviour in the third quarter. Julius Lutwama joined him in the fourth for accumulating two technical fouls. That meant losing two of their starters. “We lacked discipline,” Gad Eteu, the assistant coach, stated. Abdullahi Ramadhani only changed the wording in his autopsy. “We were very selfish,” Dulah said. Philip Ameny scored 16 points, including 10 of 12 from the foul line, and 11 rebounds but no other Falcons’ player lit up offensively.
‘Good loss’
Peter Elungat, Stephen Omony and Dulah scored 11, 10 and 10 respectively. Omony made only eight attempts, six from the field and two from downtown, in 29 minutes on the floor! “This loss is good for us. By the way, our attention has not been on the 14 games but today,” Eteu aid. He must have missed Bernice Ankundas’ memo prior to the game. “We are not losing tomorrow (Friday),” Power coach Ankunda had vowed. Falcons were supposed to be an old sheriff but the new sheriff (read Power) is not resigning yet. Power have switched on again, just at the right time.
Peter Elungat, Stephen Omony and Dulah scored 11, 10 and 10 respectively. Omony made only eight attempts, six from the field and two from downtown, in 29 minutes on the floor! “This loss is good for us. By the way, our attention has not been on the 14 games but today,” Eteu aid. He must have missed Bernice Ankundas’ memo prior to the game. “We are not losing tomorrow (Friday),” Power coach Ankunda had vowed. Falcons were supposed to be an old sheriff but the new sheriff (read Power) is not resigning yet. Power have switched on again, just at the right time.
Later today, Nkumba play Ndejje while UCU are favourites to stop Rez Life. In the women’s game, Stormers lock horns with A1 challenge in the afternoon.
# posted by afrbk : 16:01
