23 April 2013
UGANDA : KCCA, Power Open Season in Style
THERE was no pomp or ceremony to mark the start of the 2013 National Basketball League (NBL) season at Lugogo on Friday.
So it was left to the two opening matches to provide all the action, and they offered enough to wet the appetite ahead of the new campaign.
The men's clash between D'Mark Power and City Oil was the more tantalising affair, ending 68-65 in favour of the five-time champions, who debuted their classy white and gold outfit.
Joseph Ikong dropped a game-high 17 points for Power and Paul Odong added 14 on his top-flight debut.
Odong took a leap of faith to shift his young and promising career from Division 1 Bush Court, where he was the talisman for the last two seasons, but his display suggested a bright Power future ahead.
"My team-mates gave me confidence and kept on encouraging me to play," the guard remnarked after the match.
Also making his Power debut (a third one to be precise) was Ken Balyegusa, keen to revive a career that was derailed by injury.
Balyegusa (who made two points) is still way out of shape but they say class is permanent.
City Oil intends to become a permanent member at the high table of local men's hoops and their NBL debut went well despite the defeat.
Andrew Opio sunk a game-high 18 points, Jimmy Enabu added 14 and Yusuf Mohammed 11 for Mandy Juruni's side, which will get much stronger once they complete the acquisition of Ramadan Arur and Kami Kabange.
Meanwhile, Martha Soigi scored a game-high 22 points while Claire Lamono made 20 points on her debut as the KCCA Leopards thumped A1 Challenge 76-60.
Barbara Okot and Olivia Mulwana made 19 and 11 respectively for A1.
So it was left to the two opening matches to provide all the action, and they offered enough to wet the appetite ahead of the new campaign.
The men's clash between D'Mark Power and City Oil was the more tantalising affair, ending 68-65 in favour of the five-time champions, who debuted their classy white and gold outfit.
Joseph Ikong dropped a game-high 17 points for Power and Paul Odong added 14 on his top-flight debut.
Odong took a leap of faith to shift his young and promising career from Division 1 Bush Court, where he was the talisman for the last two seasons, but his display suggested a bright Power future ahead.
"My team-mates gave me confidence and kept on encouraging me to play," the guard remnarked after the match.
Also making his Power debut (a third one to be precise) was Ken Balyegusa, keen to revive a career that was derailed by injury.
Balyegusa (who made two points) is still way out of shape but they say class is permanent.
City Oil intends to become a permanent member at the high table of local men's hoops and their NBL debut went well despite the defeat.
Andrew Opio sunk a game-high 18 points, Jimmy Enabu added 14 and Yusuf Mohammed 11 for Mandy Juruni's side, which will get much stronger once they complete the acquisition of Ramadan Arur and Kami Kabange.
Meanwhile, Martha Soigi scored a game-high 22 points while Claire Lamono made 20 points on her debut as the KCCA Leopards thumped A1 Challenge 76-60.
Barbara Okot and Olivia Mulwana made 19 and 11 respectively for A1.
# posted by afrbk : 17:47
