Basketball in Africa

Oilers’ Kabenge managed a paltry four points in the third semi finals playoff at the MTN Arena, Lugogo on Friday. Oilers and Canons faceoff in Game Four today. Photo by I Kezaala. 

As Niccola Machiavelli once stated, “Men should be either treated generously or destroyed, because they take revenge for slight injuries - for heavy ones they cannot”.

Leading 2-0 going into game three of the best of five series on Friday, UCU Canons had the chance to destroy the champions City Oilers.

Instead they played with constraint, losing 70-58 and must now live with the fear of Oilers vengeance ahead of game four of the best of five semifinal series at Lugogo today.

Having struggled with knee trouble, Ben Komakech looked like he benefited most from two days of rest brought about after the rain washed out game on Wednesday.

The first two games had brought 10 points, on Friday he doubled that, scoring a game high 20 points including a three pointer that gave the Oilers a 24-13 lead as the champions made a fast start.

“We just cannot afford to give our opponents another fast start,” explained Nick Natuhereza after the game.

Shooting guard Jimmy Enabu added 16 points and dished out seven assists as the Oilers overcame a rare off day for centre Kami Kabange who managed a paltry four points.

They still trail the semifinal series 2-1 with UCU holding yet another opportunity to close out the series and make the finals for the first time in their history.

In the ladies, KCCA Leopards set up yet another final with nemesis UCU after sweeping A1 Challenge 3-0 following a 52-34 win.

Men premier league defending champions Co-operative Bank will be one of the six teams fighting to stay afloat this weekend when Kenya Basketball Federation league quarterfinal playoffs enter game two.
The bankers play Kenya Airports Authority, KAA, on Saturday with nothing but a win in mind after 59-69 game one loss. A loss on Saturday will automatically see them lose the title they have held for the past four seasons.
“We lost game one because of our attitude. It's not easy since we must win on Saturday to force game three. There is belief that we can achieve that,” head coach Carey Odhiambo said.
Strathmore University and Blades are the other two teams that must overturn last week’s losses to get back into contention. Blades lost 83-89 to Kenya Ports Authority, KPA,  in overtime and will play away in Mombasa.
Strathmore play against United States International University- Africa, USIU-A, keen to level the series after 34-59 loss in game one.
It’s a delicate balancing act for head coach Tony Ochieng with both teams played at two different venues.
Lions will also have the opportunity to stay in contention when they play Ulinzi Warriors and trailing from their 54-73 loss in game one.
Only two games will be played in the women premier as Eagle Wings seek to fight back from their 34-39 loss to Sprite Storms last weekend.
KPA,USIU in Tunisia
Strathmore University play Co-op Bank and a win for the students will take the series to game three.
Games involving KPA and USIU-A have been put on hold as both sides are in Tunisia for the FIBA-Africa Champions Cup for Women.
KPA is leading Ulinzi Blades after a 73-43 win in game one while USIU-A won 47-34 against Safe Spaces.
In Tunisia, KPA is in Group A with CS Sfaxien (Tunisia), Anjis (Cameroon), First Bank (Nigeria) and Primero (Angola) while USIU-A is in Group B alongside Interclube (Angola), INSS (Congo DR), CSPC (Mauritius) and Dolphins (Nigeria).
KBF Playoffs Fixtures: Saturday- Dankind Academy vs Lakeside (12pm, Kisumu), KPA Men vs Blades (11am, Mombasa), World Hope vs KCA-U (8:30am, Nyayo gymnasium), Upper Hill vs Umoja (10am), Co-op Bank vs Strathmore University (11:30am), Sprite Storms vs Eagle Wings (1pm), KAA vs Co-op Bank (2:30pm), Lions vs Ulinzi Warriors (4pm); Sunday- Lakeside vs Dankind Academy (12pm, Kisumu), KPA vs Blades (11am, Mombasa), Trailblazers vs Zetech University (8:30am, Nyayo gymnasium), Umoja vs Upper Hill (10am), Strathmore University vs Co-op Bank (11:30am), Eagle Wings vs Sprite Storms (1pm), Strathmore University vs USIU Tigers (2:30pm), Co-op Bank vs KAA (4pm), Ulinzi Warriors vs Lions (5:30pm).

Kami Kabange and Ramadan Arou of City Oilers look on as UCU’s Desmond Owili goes for the basket during the second semi-final playoffs at the MTN Arena Lugogo. PHOTO BY ISMAIL KEZAALAKampala- What if the weather had not intervened? Why did UCU Canon and City Oilers not wait for the YMCA court to dry up? Why wasn’y the MTN Arena not available for a sporting activity like it is today?

Those and more could be some of the questions many basketball followers have been asking themselves since Wednesday.

For rain washed out what would have been the first of three opportunities UCU Canons have to clinch the best of five semifinal series against City Oilers.

UCU lead the series 2-0 after Sunday’s 61-56 win over the champions.
With the court drying up after a heavy evening downpour, the final decision was taken by the management of both teams to have the game postponed.

UCU coach Nick Natuhereza though was not pleased with the decision that sees Game Three being replayed today at the Lugogo MTN arena.

“It leaves the team that progresses from our series at a disadvantage considering that we would play Games Four and Five on consecutive days,” he argued.

“Which is why we are hoping to close out the series today,” he added.
A day’s rest though will have come in handy in the short run for City Oilers particularly guard Ben Komakech who has been struggling with knee trouble.
“We would obviously miss him a lot because of his contribution to our offensive game,” Oilers guard Omondi explained.

Omondi also believes the postponement offers less excuses for the champions that have to win three straight games to return to the final.

“You obviously want to go into such kind of a game with no excuses about the surface and players worrying about getting injured,” he said.

NATIONAL BASKETBALL LEAGUE PLAYOFFS AT MTN ARENA- LUGOGO

SEMIFINALS – GAME THREE
MEN: UCU vs Oilers (8pm)
WOMEN: KCCA vs .A1 Challenge
(UCU, KCCA lead series 2-0)

essenono@ug.nationmedia.com

It’s not the 2-0 margin that must cause Mandy Juruni anxiety. It’s the manner of those defeats that must raise grave concerns for the City Oilers coach.
In two semifinal games, champions City Oilers have looked like a team in a rush to find the exit door. An unrelenting UCU Canons want to tear their carcass apart.
They will get that chance tomorrow after Sunday’s wire-to-wire 61-56 win at the Lugogo MTN Arena on the back of Sudi Ulanga’s 21 points. Not even a late flurry of baskets to cut into UCU’s 49-25 periphery at the start of the fourth will be a cause of optimism for Oilers.
A sweep looks a certainty after handing Oilers a sixth successive league loss and seventh in all.
“It’s not going our way,” Oilers coach Juruni said. “We will keep fighting.”
Despite only five Oilers scoring, they punched UCU into a corner. But, calling most of the latter’s scoring ‘garbage time points’ wouldn’t be farfetched.
Their offense has collapsed and Kami Kabenge looks like a lone ranger for long periods with the UCU inside players making it as hard as they can for the reigning MVP.
After his 27 points and nine rebounds in 69-66 Game One loss on Saturday, Kabange had 23 in Game Two 24 hours later. He is averaging 25 whereas Ulanga is on 22.5.
Ulanga has received support from ther entire cast.
A returning Desmond Owili had 15 points and seven rebounds on Sunday, just after Ivan Lumanyika’s 11 and 18 a day earlier.
Owili and Lumanyika have sparked a 91-53 rebound advantage! Also in stark contrast, Jimmy Enabu’s 15 points, two more than he managed in Game One, are too few to beat a good team.
Besides Enabu’s 28, Geoff Omondi has six and Ben Komakech is on 10 for the series. No wonder most fans left after this game as Tiger Head Power’s fight back was watched by a handful. Power defied Henry Malinga’s 29 points to beat Warriors 71-65 and level the other men’s semifinal series at 1-all.
In the women’s division, another KCCA Leopards-UCU Lady Canons final is almost certain even if the latter were made to work for their 68-65 win over Magic Stormers. They lead 2-0 with former MVP Maureen Amoding averaging 19.5 points. Power-Warriors and UCU-A1 resume their exchanges today at YMCA.

NBL PLAYOFFS
SUNDAY RESULTS
MEN
Power 71-65 Warriors
(Series tied 1-all)
UCU 61-56 Oilers
(UCU lead series 2-0)
WOMEN
KCCA 66-36 A1
Stormers 65-68 UCU
(KCCA and UCU lead series 2-0)

PLAYING TODAY AT YMCA
MEN (8PM)
Warriors vs Power
WOMEN (6PM)
UCU vs Stormers

Basketball fans endorsed the Kenya Basketball Federation league playoffs which began over the weekend at the Nyayo National Stadium gymnasium.
Twelve games were on the cards on Saturday and Sunday attracting huge crowds as compared to regular season. Their attendance was not in vain as teams displayed quality games.
The men's premier league encounters pitting Co-operative Bank against Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) and Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) versus Blades turned out to be the real crowd pullers.
With the crowds fully behind them, KAA dominated the champions from the onset and never surrendered the lead to win 67-59. They were the best team for the entire period scoring 17 free-throws against Co-op Bank’s nine and six three-point shots against the banker’s four.
The bankers had pointguard Salim Ali fouled out in the fourth quarter with five fouls, Frederick Odongo had four fouls while the entire team committed 22 fouls.
This was far worse than KAA who had Shem Otieno highest casualty with three fouls and accumulated 15 team fouls. Billy Ongute top-scored for KAA with 18 points while Allan Ouma scored 14 for the bankers.
Before the game, head coach Carey Odhiambo had said the absence of two key players Titus Musembi and David Ogolla who are serving a one year ban would affect his team’s push for the title defense.
KAA led 37-22 at halftime winning the first two quarters 16-8 and 21-14 respectively. Co-op Bank won the third 20-10 and KAA the fourth 20-17 with the second game on Saturday a must-win for the bankers.
KPA needed overtime to beat Blades 89-83 after the game tied 61-all in regulation time. Kooshin Diriye scored 16 points for KPA with Martin Kitonga and Ariel Okal adding a combined 30. Emmanuel Soja and Valentine Nyakinda top scored for Blades with 21 and 19 points respectively.
Enjoyed a three-points cushion
Ulinzi Warriors also has an upper hand going to the second game after defeating Lions 73-54. Ulinzi won the first quarter 19-15 and Lions the second 18-17 as the soldiers enjoyed a three points cushion at halftime.
It was Ulinzi’s game upon resumption as they won the remaining quarters 21-11 and 16-10. William Ochieng and Ancette Wafula scored highest for Ulinzi with 19 points each while Denis Opiyo had 12 for Lions.
The last quarterfinal game had United States International University- Africa (USIU-A) beat Strathmore University 59-35. Abel Nson scored 13 points for USIU-A and Hugh Ayara 12 for Strathmore. USIU-A won all quarters 13-8, 10-7, 17-2 and 19-18 respectively.
The women's premier league games were averagely low scoring. Defending champions KPA was the only high scoring team beating Ulinzi Blades 73-43. Yvonne Akinyi top scored for KPA and Bridgit Nanzala for Ulinzi with 12 points. The dockers won all quarters 21-6, 11-10, 21-11 and 20-16.
Sprite Storms will have an advantage over Eagle Wings after winning game one 39-34. Silalei Shani for Eagles and Angela Luchivya for Storms top-scored with 12 points each. Storms scored 15 of its points from the three-point line and eight from free-throws compared to Eagles who had only one three-point shot and scored five free-throws.
USIU-A beat Safe Spaces 47-34 helped by 13 points from Sarah Chan and 10 from Georgia Odhiambo. Safe Spaces’ top scorer was Jane Ouko with 10 points.
Co-op Bank will have the advantage over Strathmore University heading to game two after registering a 41-30 win on Sunday. The bankers started off poorly losing first quarter 6-9.  They had seven team fouls compared to Strathmore's one with Beatrice Achieng committing three and Grace Wanjiku two.
It was a dangerous balancing act for head coach Robert Mugabe in the remaining three quarters. “Strathmore is the best offensive rebounding team in the league and goes out at all cost to get the ball. Also, our boxing out was not good,” he explained.
Dominant in the second quarter
The bankers were dominant in the second quarter which hey won 13-0 for a 19-9 halftime lead. The second half was equally low scoring but highly competitive as Co-op Bank won the third quarter 12-10 and Strathmore the fourth 11-10. Celine Okumu scored 11 points for the bankers and Mollete Achieng had 14 for the students.
“The fact that we have won does not mean we will go there and rest. There is game two to come with a possibility of game three so its important we remain consistent,” Mugabe said.
In division one, Zetech University beat Trailblazers 62-51, Umoja beat Upper Hill 72-26, Dankind Academy won 73-47 against Lakeside while Kenya College of Accountancy- University (KCA-U) registered a 62-45 win over World Hope.
KBF Playoffs Results
Men's Premier League: Ulinzi Warriors 73 Lions 54, Co-op Bank 59 KAA 67, USIU-A 59 Strathmore University 34, KPA 89 Blades 83.
Women's Premier League: USIU-A 47 Safe Spaces 34, KPA 73 Ulinzi Blades 43, Eagle Wings 34 Sprite Storms 39, Strathmore University 30 Co-op Bank 41.
Division One: Zetech University 62 Trailblazers 51, Umoja 72 Upper Hill 26, Lakeside 47 Dankind Academy 73, KCA-U 62 World Hope 45.

KAMPALA

City Oilers got away with a thin team enroute to winning the National Basketball League title in their first season last year.

Centre Kami Kabange, who would go on to win the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, and guard Jimmy Enabu shouldered the burden, brilliantly. The club’s management knew additions were needed. Geoff Omondi (Falcons) and Ben Komakech (Tiger Head Power) joined to spread the options on offense. But their inconsistency could ultimately decide how far they can go.

Coach Mandy Juruni was concerned about both, but more of the latter’s contribution, after losing 69-66 to UCU Canons, a fifth league defeat in a row to the same side on Saturday. With that UCU took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five semifinal series. “His knee hurts,” Juruni said of Komakech. “It’s bothering him.”

The two-time MVP in the title-winning seasons of 2008 and 2010 at Power has had a below par season though exploding at this time of the year is often a certainty.

Injuries have played their part as he has also had a groin and finger problem too. The late season show as the out-of-jail card for Power is yet to materialize at Oilers.

Point guard Komakech scored four points and five assists following a return from injury as he sat out the 2-0 quarterfinal series sweep of Sharing Youth to accord his knees time to heal. He made only four attempts, scoring his first points with a minute to the final bell against UCU. “We will be fine,” is all an uptight Komakech would say. Juruni spent time talking to Omondi, Enabu and Komakech after the game. “They know they could have done a better job. Only Kami (27 points) took the fight to them.”

editorial@@ug.nationmedia.com

Kami Kabange of City Oilers blocks Canons’ Brian Namake during their semi final playoff game at YMCA Wandegeya on Wednesday. Photo by Ismail Kezaala  

KAMPALA- In the 90s, it was Blue Jackets-Charging Rhino-Tiger Head Power and then Falcons. The latter carried that rivalry to the turn of the millennium with Power.

Then Warriors-Power was born as a rivalry from the 2009 National Basketball League final which the former won 3-1. The latter earned revenge in the next two climaxes.

Today, UCU Canons versus City Oilers might just trump any series, even if Warriors and Power are facing off in the other best-of-five semifinal series.
Besides rain washing out their Game One on Wednesday night at YMCA court, the scenes that followed the cancellation point to more than just competitiveness.

It bordered on hate as the two sets of players and management traded insults and tried to get physical. Police had to restrain them.

Champions Oilers had been leading 50-39 with seven minutes to play in a contest that could have passed for a scene from the Trojan War.
You could barely pinpoint an individual from either side who can claim to be innocent except Oilers’ coach Mandy Juruni, just maybe was a saint.

Apologies have been flying back and forth. Juruni’s team must wait to clinch a first league win over UCU having lost four in four and in the final of this year’s UCU Invitational, 65-77.

Their 77-69 win in last year’s UCU Invitational final is the last time they beat the university side and they had a good chance on Wednesday. With the ‘fighting’, it’s now mental.

Today, two former champions Warriors and Tiger Head Power face off in the first Power-Warriors series in three years.

Warriors did the double over Power with two of the best games this regular season, including clawing back a 21-point deficit to beat their rivals 74-71 under a month ago. Two wins won’t be enough, three will do.
Also Boniface Okello’s UCU Lady Canons play Magic Stormers in the ladies semifinals game one.

NATIONAL BASKETBALL LEAGUE
City Oilers 50-39 UCU (ABANDONED)
KCCA leopards 64-49 A1 Challenge
(KCCA lead best of five series 1-0)
PLAYING TODAY
WOMEN: UCU Vs Magic Stormers
MEN: Power Vs Warriors

editorial@ug.nationmedia.com

Game 1: Wednesday, November 19 at 8:00pm, YMCA
Game 2: Saturday, November 22 at 7:30pm, YMCA
Game 3: Tuesday, November 25 at 8:00pm, YMCA
Game 4: Thursday, November 27 at 8:00pm, YMCA (If necessary)
Game 5: Saturday, November 29 at 7:30pm, Lugogo (If necessary)

In their debut season in the top flight, the City Oilers were tagged all kinds of names – from underdogs to title pretenders. They emerged champions after seeing out experienced Falcons 4-3 in the seven game spread playoffs finals.

After the off season business that saw them add Ben Komaketch and Jeff Omond to the championship team, it has been different this season. The Oilers have been out right favorites in every game they have played and no surprise they were top seeds in the normal season.

Even if you are blind – to reality, one thing you can’t miss to see is the fact that City Oilers are by far the most organized team (by all parameters) in the local game.

Their coach, Mandy Juruni knows exactly what organization can do. The soft spoken coach associated last season’s triumph to organization.

The UCU Canons were the only team to win a first-round playoff series in three games. If that says anything, it should be that Canons faced tougher opponents. City Oilers meanwhile had a clean sweep of Sharing. UCU’s coach, Nick Natuherza says

Having beaten his team in the last four league meetings, Mandy Juruni (while he looked relaxed) admitted they have got to be more cautious playing against the Canons. Juruni said after the second round loss the UCU

Sudi Ulanga and Sunday Okot were unfazed by Falcons’ defense and center Ivan Lumanyika helped Canons control the paint. Now, the Canons will have to get past the toughest and physical brand of perimeter defense to get everything they want at the rim.

UCU’s under the hoop players, Ivan Lumanyika and Desmond Owili (who mostly might be at 4) will find it tough to get close looks against Kami Kabange, Arou Ramadhan and Samuel Kalwanyi. Ulanga will have to make some tough shots in the face of Jeff Omondi and Jimmy Enabu as he will without doubt be the center of attention on City Oilers’ defensive end. It (defense) is something the City Oilers are not shying away from. Jimmy Enabu says:

Finishing fourth seed and dispatching the Falcons at the first round, the Canons knew the journey to their first championship round would have to go past holders City Oilers, but that’s where it ends. Canons may have handled the regular season series pretty well – winning both normal season games but this is the business end of the season, City Oilers will be an absolute juggernaut.City Oilers guard, Jimmy Enabu told Kawowo Sports:

Samuel Kalwanyi in his own words echoed Enabu saying:

UCU Canons 58-49 Krishna Falcons (Canons win series 2-1)

The UCU Canons will play in this year’s second round of the Pepsi FUBA Playoffs. Thanks to another explosive performance from their star shooting guard, Sudi Ulanga.
Ulanga once again delivered 26 points performance on Sunday night as the UCU Canons saw off Falcons 58-49. Desmond Owili returned with 11 points and 8 rebounds to help the Canons get over the first hurdle.
The Canons who trailed 10-12 after the opening period stepped up in the second, both offensively and defensively, scoring 16 in the frame and limiting their opponents to season low 5 points. The university side did not look back with UCU’s coach Nick Natuhereza saying

Steven Omony had 21 points and 6 rebounds for Falcons who wont be at the second round for the first time since 2011 having been losing finalist for the last two season. Jonah Mukwaba and Peter Elungat contributed 8 apiece in a losing effort.
The Canons will face defending champions City Oilers in the best-of-five semi finals starting Wednesday at YMCA.

By Ismail Dhakaba KigongoKAMPALA

Only one of the eight semifinal slots in the National Basketball League remains. Predictably, it comes down to UCU Canons and Falcons, seeds four and five in the men’s top tier.

The short three-match series has the two level at 1-all with a decisive Game Three at the Lugogo MTN Arena today. History points in one direction.

That Falcons have never lost to UCU in a series is a fact. The record champions beat the university side 2-1 in the 2007 semi-finals and by the same margin at this round last season.

While that history will ring a bell in everyone’s mind, it’s the return of Kenyan centre Desmond Owili from a one-year ban for an altercation with an umpire that will be the headlining act.

Fitting Owili
While Owili was way, Ivan Lumanyika has grown as coach Nicholas Natuhereza’s centre and a contributor with the national team.
Could he use two rim protectors at the same time for long spells? That’s highly unlikely.
The last time Owili played for his side, he scored 18 points but they lost 82-76. Stephen Omony has a message for him: “We have beaten UCU with Desmond there so we can do it again.”

Elungat factor
Of course this series is different from the ones Omony cites especially as Peter Elungat has awoken from his year-long slumber to carry Falcons’ cross.
The forward scored 21 points and 10 rebounds in the 67-63 Game One victory and 14 in the Game Two 80-76 overtime loss.

Ulanga holds aces
UCU may not have that luxury of rotating scoring options. Guard Sudi Ulanga must rise to the occasion.
His series-high 51 points covers up for his conversion rate of 6 for 13 from the field, 4 for 14 from behind the arc and 2 for 8 at the charity line in Game Two.
“What’s better, scoring eight points and we win or 40 and we lose?” he joked. His coach thinks there is more to come.
“We still haven’t played a great game in my opinion. We still need better,” Natuhereza said.

Resurgent Kiviri
Sam Obol maybe a rookie as a coach. His major task is to transfer his wisdom and calm on to Syrus Kiviri in what has been an average for the ex-UCU guard.
Like a man desperate to respond, Kiviri scored 20 points on Tuesday and more of the same from him might validate the old adage: history repeats itself.

Basketball League playoffs
Today at Lugogo
UCU vs Falcons
Game Three at 7pm

A crucial meeting bringing together the key stakeholders will be held early Saturday at the Nyayo National Stadium to address concerns raised by teams ahead of the league playoffs.
Referees, team managers and captains of all premier league clubs as well as representation from sponsors and the federation are expected to attend. Officiating will be a key agenda for discussion.
There have been issues around officiating with referees facing the wrath of players for what is seen as “poor officiating”.
The teams are now keen to have things streamlined as the league enters a crucial stage.
During the meeting, referees are expected to share new FIBA rules that came into force from October 1.
“Every time referees make blunders, they tell us its the new rules which we have no idea about. This meeting will shed more light on that so that we are reading from the same script,” a team captain who sought anonymity said.
Playoffs on the agenda 
The playoffs could also be in the agenda as teams seek to have their welfare taken care of.
Due to the live television schedule, games are expected to run through the week and late into the night just like last season.
However, teams have insisted on being offered transport for the games ending late in the night or time changes effected.
“We are not keen to go through the same experience we had last season. Some of us come from far and getting out of Kasarani late was challenging.”
All that will be addressed at the meeting with the playoffs tentatively slated to begin on November 22.
The date is still not official because some teams have few games to play. Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) has five games remaining in the men premier while Strathmore University, Mennonite and Nakuru Club have two games pending each.
Ulinzi Warriors, Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), Blades, Equity Bank, Terror, Blazers and Nairobi Aviation College all have a game to play.
Packed weekend schedule
KPA will have a marathon play this weekend in Nairobi to cover three of their five games.On Friday, they play against Nairobi Aviation College before taking on KAA on Saturday.
They then play Strathmore University on Sunday with all games at Kasarani.
Nakuru will host Mennonite on Saturday for both teams to remain with a game while Ulinzi play Blazers to complete their season roster.
Other games of the men premier have Blades up against Equity Bank while Terror tackles Strathmore University.
Equity Bank is certain to miss out on the playoffs as they sit ninth with 43 points and a game at hand.
A win this weekend will tie them at 45 points with KPA who have five games at hand and Strathmore who are yet to play twice.
KAA, Blades, Lions, USIU-A, Ulinzi and Co-operative Bank have all secured their playoff spots. Blazers and Mennonite are at the bottom of the table.
Women premier league defending champions KPA will be left with a game after playing Western Delight this weekend while United States International University- Africa (USIU-A) completes its play against Strathmore University.
Western Delight will play their last game of the regular season against Eagle Wings on Sunday.
Apart from KPA, all the teams in the league will be through with their games this weekend. Despite financial challenges for the better part of first leg, Safe Spaces have made it to the playoffs for the second season running.
They sit a point above Kenyatta University Oryx who are ninth with 28 points and have played all their games.
Safe Spaces will play Sprite Storms on Saturday with a chance of increasing their points tally.
Other teams making it to the playoffs are Ulinzi Blades, Storms, Strathmore, Co-operative Bank, Eagle Wings, KPA and USIU-A. Mennonite and Western Delight sit at the bottom of the table going to the deciding weekend.
Kenya College of Accountancy- University (KCA-U) who have played all their games and sit two points above Western Delight will be crossing their fingers this weekend.
Their closest challenger in the relegation battle Western Delight play two games against title contenders KPA and Eagle Wings in Nairobi.
Losses for the Kakamega side in both games will put them at par with KCA-U.
KBF Weekend Fixtures: Friday- Terror vs Strathmore University (6pm, Kasarani), Nairobi Aviation College vs KPA (8pm); Saturday- Nakuru Club vs Mennonite (12pm, Nakuru), KPA Ladies vs Western Delight (11am, Kasarani), Ulinzi Warriors vs Blazers (1pm), Sprite Storms vs Safe Spaces (3pm), KPA Men vs KAA (6pm); Sunday- ANU vs Barclays Bank (9am, Kasarani), Eagle Wings vs Western Delight (11am), USIU Flames vs Strathmore University (1pm), Blades vs Equity Bank (3pm), Strathmore University vs KPA Men (6pm).

Owili (R) rises to shoot against Falcons’ Herbert Akita in last season’s quartefinal play-offs at YMCA. Owili returns on Sunday after a one-year ban. PHOTO BY ISMAIL KEZAALA 

Tuesday results
MEN: UCU 80-76 Falcons (OT)
(Series tied at 1-all)
W: A1 Challenge 49-39 KIU Rangers
(A1 win series 2-0)
TOMORROW AT YMCA
Warriors vs. Ndejje, 8pm
Lady Canons vs. Mak Sparks, 6pm

KAMPALA. Falcons’ Syrus Kiviri was in the mood to deny UCU Canons a second chance. His former teammates just wanted to give Desmond Owili a chance to play this year.
UCU defied Falcons, winning 80-76 in overtime at YMCA court on Tuesday night, to tie the three-match National Basketball League quarterfinal series at 1-all.
The decisive Game Three is on Sunday. Owili’s one-year ban expires today. Was Owili ever a motivating factor to survive elimination?
“No doubt, we wanted him for at least one game,” coach Nicholas Natuhereza said. The last time he played for his club side, the Kenyan centre scored 18 points.
That ended in an 82-76 loss to Falcons at the same stage last year and an altercation with an umpire.
“We have beaten UCU with Desmond there so we can do it again,” Stephen Omony, scorer of a game-high 29 points and 16 rebounds last November, said.
Kiviri’s three with 2.1 seconds of regulation time left tied the game at 70-up. The shooting guard finished with 20 and Stephen Omony scored 19 and 12 rebounds. Peter Elungat had 14. The university side bossed the extra five minutes but didn’t run away even as Kiviri fouled out. Actually, this result was probably earned much earlier.
Falcons had led 38-23 at the end of the second period and increased that to a 16-point advantage.
Point guard Sande Okot and forward Brian Namake, nine points and eight rebounds forced a 17-point turnaround to help Sudi Ulanga to a game-high 28 points and seven rebounds. However, Ulanga’s conversion rate of 6 for 13 from the field, 4 for 14 from behind the arc and 2 for 8 at the charity line left a lot to be desired. Natuhereza admitted as much. “We still haven’t played a great game in my opinion. We still need better.” The odds will be against them as they have never beaten Falcons in playoff series.
Ivan Lumanyika awoke from his Game One slumber with 25 points and 12 rebounds. Lumanyika will now have support on the inside in Owili.

editorial@ug.nationmdia.com

Amoding goes for a lay-up against Nabisunsa two seasons ago. PHOTO BY ISMAIL KEZAALA 

KAMPALA

Gazelles coach Timothy Odeke has revealed Maureen Amoding and Judith Nansobya still have a chance to play for the national women’s basketball team.
The pair snubbed the national team during the Zone V Afro Basket qualifiers held here in September, opting to travel to Brazil for the World University Basketball 3-on-3 Championship that coincided with the start of the Lugogo tourney.
This was in spite of pleas by the national team organizing committee persuading them to drop the travel plans. Odeke though said the pair will still be considered for future engagements.

“Every player stands a chance of being invited for future engagements as long as they are playing well,” Odeke explained.
The national team management committee, however, allowed centre Peace Proscovia to join the team after a successful Netball World Cup qualification campaign with the She Cranes in Botswana.
Proscovia missed the Gazelles’ opening 65-61 loss to Egypt at Lugogo but returned from Botswana in time to feature against Kenya.
There has been a feeling that the pair was treated unfairly compared to Proscovia, who returned to the country around the same time like them. “We gave them an option of either staying and helping the national team or travel to Brazil, and they opted for the latter,” said Odeke.

“Peace’s case was different,” Odeke clarified. “We do not have many good players in the country who play in her position.” “Secondly, she was representing the country in a competition which weighed heavily in comparison to the other two players,” he added.
“Then we also factored in the fact that the distance from here to Botswana was a lot shorter than that covered by Amoding and Nansobya from Brazil which made it likely that they would be more exhausted.”
The Afro Basket is due October next year in Cameroon while the All-Africa Games are to be staged September in Congo Brazzaville.
Between now and next year, a lot will have changed but Odeke argues that only form will determine who is picked for the tournaments.

“They (Amoding and Nansobya) are still some of the best players in the league and if they continue playing well there is no reason why they should not be part of the national team set-up,” he noted.
Despite the obvious disappointment of missing out on the zonal event, Amoding has no regrets about her decision.
“I do not regret travelling to Brazil because I believed I was still able of featuring in the Zone V games,” she said.
The UCU Lady Canons guard is, however, also still keen on a return to the national team if a chance presents itself.
“If I am invited I would obviously play,” Maureen, one of the best guards in the country, affirmed.

Co-operative Bank suffered their third loss of the season over the weekend falling 53-60 to Ulinzi Warriors in a national classic league game played at Safaricom Indoor Arena, Kasarani.
The soldiers completed a 2-0 record over the champions this season having won the first leg encounter.
It was a close contest as both teams were separated by a point at halftime, Ulinzi winning the first quarter 22-9 and Co-op Bank the second 20-8. Ulinzi were dominant in second half taking the third and fourth quarters 12-11 and 18-13 respectively.
Eric Mutoro led the scores for the military side with 18 points and Allan Ouma for the bankers with 15.
Ulinzi won the second game of the weekend beating Strathmore University 70-61 while Co-op Bank beat Equity Bank 68-54. Equity saved face with a 74-61 win over Thunder in their second game after leading 38-37 at the breather.
Fred Lugasi scored a game high 25 points for the bankers while Mandela Otieno scored highest for Thunder with 16. In Mombasa, Anthony Okello scored 16 points to lead Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) to a 67-45 win over visiting Blades.
KPA enjoyed a 27-17 halftime lead as Edwin Otula top- scored for Blades with 13 points. KPA’s second game was a 81-55 win over Kenyatta University Pirates.
The other game had United States International University- Africa (USIU-A) beating Lions 78-61.
Two home wins
KPA, the women's premier league defending champions KPA registered two home wins against Strathmore University and KU Oryx. Strathmore was the first casualty on Saturday going down 30-64 to the dockers who enjoyed a 27-22 halftime lead.
Lynette Atieno top scored for KPA with 16 points while Susan Manya scored 15 for Strathmore. Oryx were dominated losing 31-88 as Yvonne Akinyi scored 18 points for KPA who led 33-19 at halftime. KPA won first quarter 25-9 and Oryx the second 10-8.
The dockers were unmatched in second half with 23-4 and 32-8 wins in the third and fourth quarters respectively.
Bridgit Nanzala scored 35 points to help Ulinzi Blades beat Safe Spaces 75-51 after a 35-25 lead at halftime. Blades won all quarters 21-12, 14-13, 21-14 and 19-12 while Evelyne Itabu top scored for Safe Spaces with 15 points.
It was a fruitful weekend for Blades who took home a second win of 51-42 over Kenya College of Accountancy- University (KCA-U) helped by 25 points from Nanzala. Rebecca Nkatha scored highest for KCA-U with 14 points.
USIU-A and Sprite Storms won on the road beating Western Delight 81-42 and 53-30 respectively in Kakamega.
KBF weekend results
Friday: Ulinzi Warriors 70 Strathmore University 61, Lions 61 USIU-A Tigers 78.
Saturday: KPA Ladies 63 Strathmore University 30, KPA Men 67 Blades 45, ANU 61 MKU Eldonets 67, Zetech University 60 Baraka Xtreme 50, Ulinzi Blades 75 Safe Spaces 51, Thunder 61 Equity Bank 74, Co-op Bank 53 Ulinzi Warriors 60, Western Delight 42 USIU-A  Flames 81, Nebulas 0 Trailblazers 20.
Sunday: MKU Kakamega 20 Parklands Baptist 0, Western Delight 30 Sprite Storms 53, KPA Ladies 88 KU Oryx 31, KPA Men 81 KU Pirates 55, KCA-U 42 Ulinzi Blades 51, Barclays Bank 72 World Hope 60, Equity Bank 54 Co-op Bank 68.

KAMPALA

Last year, UCU Canons failed to live with Stephen Omony during the first round of the National Basketball League playoffs. His ‘dance’ on the post decided the thrilling three-match series which Falcons 2-1. It’s impossible to ignore the forward’s impact.

When he took a supporting role in game one on Friday, UCU, yet to beat Falcons in playoff series, must have felt a sense of entitlement. Omony finished with four points, nine rebounds and four steals while committing two turnovers in 28 minutes.

They couldn’t have guessed that Peter Elungat was ready to lead in his 33 minutes. An irresistible performance worth 21 points and 10 rebounds gave Falcons a 67-63 victory and a 1-0 series lead. “I just had to play well,” Elungat said. This was by far his best game in the two seasons when he has largely gone into slumber. He connected with 7 of his 16 attempts from two-point range.

UCU were late on defending him as he engaged attack mode as much as they were 30 minutes for the game and didn’t get the chance to warm up.

Sam Obol’s team, or rather Elungat, were ready to feast on a disorganized UCU outfit, taking a 55-30 lead early in the fourth quarter. However, consistency is one thing Falcons must buy.
After keeping UCU to 28 points in three quarters, they let in 35 in the final eight minutes to offer the university side a glimmer of hope.

ikigongo@ug.nationmedia.com