Basketball in Africa

KAMPALA.
The start of the Airtel National Basketball League may not have been that glamorous but it served a familiar result – City Oilers lost – just like last year.

However, the difference was huge. Last year, as newcomers, no one cared much when they were edged by Tiger Head Power at the Lugogo MTN Arena.
One year down the road, Oilers are national champions. They demand attention.

UCU Canons will take some pride from having beaten them 77-72, a third time in a row it has happened in the league, at YMCA court.
A fair crowd was treated to a fighting UCU, who trailed by as many as 13 (25-38) at the start of the third period. Sudi Ulanga was as loaded as ever, scoring a game-high 30 points and seven rebounds.

Reserve Brian Namake contributed 11 points and 10 rebounds but was perhaps the difference lay in his ‘intangibles’ which lifted UCU from a hole in the third which they bossed 26-13.

In game of two halves, it was easy to draw the line under the fact that UCU were missing centre Desmond Owili, who is currently suspended, as Kami Kabange scored all but two of 20 points in the first half.

The MVP was negated as the university side took charge, limiting marquee signing Ben Komakech (Power) to 13 as he went 3 for 12 from beyond the arc. Kabange finished with 9 for 18.

Daniel ‘Najja’ Juuko battled a sore finger for his 14 and Ramadhan Arou has 11 for Mandy Juruni’s side.