Wednesday National Basketball League fixtures
Betway Power vs Startimes Falcons 6.00pm at YMCA
Nkumba Marines vs JKL 8.00pm
Apart from being the most successful sides in the National Basketball League with six and five titles respectively, Betway Power and Startimes Falcons shared a few things in common.
Both teams were synonymous with management strife as City Oilers dominated the domestic scene on their way to four straight titles despite Power twice reaching the final in that period while Falcons lost out in 2013.
That has however since changed when Betway joined Power as sponsors of the club as they sought to make a deep run in the playoffs last season. The motivation culminated in a finals appearance as the partnership eased the club’s financial woes. Power has consequently started the season in better form winning their opening two games including a 60-56 win over Champions City Oilers as well as edging UCU Canons 81-80.
On Wednesday they will be strong favourites to pick a third straight win when they play Falcons at YMCA Court in Wandegeya. Shooting guard Paul Odong is averaging a league high 16.5 points while Michael Makiadi has seven rebounds from the opening two games.
The Falcons have meanwhile endured another player exodus with veteran star forward and captain Stephen Omony leading the cast that also includes Peter Elungat, David Kiberu and Sulaiman Bbaale who will feature for Power.
They also lost their opening game to newcomers JKL going down 68-53 and only fielding seven players. Former Power coach Bernes Ankunda has however since joined while Serge Kabangu is also expected to feature having returned from Congo.
To many this might be the game of the season with each team looking for bragging rights.