05 December 2014
UGANDA : Powerful Oilers!
By Felix Eupal
City Oilers are on a crescendo and Tiger Head Power seems powerless to stop them from clinching a second straight basketball league title.
On Wednesday night, the former won Game 1 of the best-of-seven play-off finals and is aiming to stretch the lead tonight, writes Felix Eupal.
All roads lead to Lugogo arena this evening as basketball fans await Power's response following Wednesday's 61-70 defeat to the league's defending champions. All eyes will be on Power's Phillip Amenyi, whose unpredictable nature is causing concern.
On Sunday, Power defeated Warriors in the semifinal decider without him after he travelled back to Nairobi to attend to family matters. He only showed up at half time against Oilers. For a man supposed to stop Oilers danger man Kami Kabenge, it was a bitter pill to swallow given that Kabenge went on to finish with a game-high 18 points, ten rebounds and three assists.
Power management wasn't happy with Amanyi, blaming him for disappearing when they needed him most. But just like Phillip Kyomuhendo Power's manager says, "The good thing is that he is back and all is good".
That is the unpredictability of Amenyi on and off court. In the regular season, he served an eight-match ban for featuring in a tournament in Congo without clearance from local basketball body Fuba. But Amenyi wasn't the only missing link for Power on Wednesday; coach Bernes Ankunda's team still sucks at rebounding and they were out-rebounded 57-45.
They also failed to take advantage of the charity line; converting only 11 of the 33 times. However, Oilers weren't also clinical on the line and converted 20 of the 40 shots. The difference was how Oilers rotated their offence, attacking the hoop from inside and also shooting.
For instance, Ankunda was shocked by the unusual starting five of Oilers, which had three bench players Henry Mulira, Andrew Opio and Daniel Juuko.
On the other hand, Ankunda's team lacks a leader. It was evident when skipper Joseph Ikong failed to roar his teammates. Granted, Power have an opportunity to correct the wrongs tonight.
The good thing about the play-offs is that there is a second chance to correct your errors. Precise shooting is Ankunda's top agenda because despite YMCA being Power's training ground, they could only convert four baskets from the 28 attempts out the ark.
City Oilers are on a crescendo and Tiger Head Power seems powerless to stop them from clinching a second straight basketball league title.
On Wednesday night, the former won Game 1 of the best-of-seven play-off finals and is aiming to stretch the lead tonight, writes Felix Eupal.
All roads lead to Lugogo arena this evening as basketball fans await Power's response following Wednesday's 61-70 defeat to the league's defending champions. All eyes will be on Power's Phillip Amenyi, whose unpredictable nature is causing concern.
On Sunday, Power defeated Warriors in the semifinal decider without him after he travelled back to Nairobi to attend to family matters. He only showed up at half time against Oilers. For a man supposed to stop Oilers danger man Kami Kabenge, it was a bitter pill to swallow given that Kabenge went on to finish with a game-high 18 points, ten rebounds and three assists.
Power management wasn't happy with Amanyi, blaming him for disappearing when they needed him most. But just like Phillip Kyomuhendo Power's manager says, "The good thing is that he is back and all is good".
That is the unpredictability of Amenyi on and off court. In the regular season, he served an eight-match ban for featuring in a tournament in Congo without clearance from local basketball body Fuba. But Amenyi wasn't the only missing link for Power on Wednesday; coach Bernes Ankunda's team still sucks at rebounding and they were out-rebounded 57-45.
They also failed to take advantage of the charity line; converting only 11 of the 33 times. However, Oilers weren't also clinical on the line and converted 20 of the 40 shots. The difference was how Oilers rotated their offence, attacking the hoop from inside and also shooting.
For instance, Ankunda was shocked by the unusual starting five of Oilers, which had three bench players Henry Mulira, Andrew Opio and Daniel Juuko.
On the other hand, Ankunda's team lacks a leader. It was evident when skipper Joseph Ikong failed to roar his teammates. Granted, Power have an opportunity to correct the wrongs tonight.
The good thing about the play-offs is that there is a second chance to correct your errors. Precise shooting is Ankunda's top agenda because despite YMCA being Power's training ground, they could only convert four baskets from the 28 attempts out the ark.
# posted by afrbk : 15:18
