Betway Power coach Arnold Lando Mchuda had probably seen enough warning signs for him not to get carried away by the team’s perfect start to the current
National Basketball League season.
“We have been below par. A few individuals have stepped up different times so we have won games because we have a big team. But the capacity we have not done our best,” Mchuda opined before Friday’s win over KIU Titans.
And while Power managed to defeat the Titans 65-56, another team regarded with genuine quality, Mchuda’s fears were confirmed two days later.
This is after Betway Power succumbed to a surprise 63-52 defeat to Ndejje University. The result was their first loss following a 9-0 start that also included a 64-56 win over champions City Oilers.
But they never recovered after a slow start on Sunday losing the opening period 21-11 and trailing in all subsequent quarters.
Nunda Kiryowe led the university side with 12 points while Salim Kisily and Samuel Ajack added 11 points apiece.
This was despite David Opolot’s best efforts in draining a game high 13 points for the
Betway sponsored side.
The forward was the only Power player in double figures in a game point guard Fahmy Sebatindira missed in addition to Joseph Ikong who is with the Silverbacks.
The former contributed 11 points alongside Phillip Ameny with Geoffrey Soro top scoring in the Friday win over KIU Titans.
There will however be few excuses for Power who were playing a Ndejje team that only improved to 4-5 this season.
City Oilers meanwhile ended their first round on a high after 68-63 result over Sharing Youth clinched a third straight win as they concluded the first round with an 8-3 sequence.
Burundian Landry Ndikumana starred with a game high 23 points and 12 rebounds for the Oilers who held on for victory despite Sharing claiming the final two quarters 20-17 and 25-19.
Caesar Kizito led three other Sharing Youths in double figures with 20 points including 13 in the final period and a pull up jumper that brought them to within two with 3:47 left.
Sharing dropped to 5-6 to conclude the first round that ends this week with Power hosting JKL on Friday.
Sunday NBL results
Magic Stormers 52-70 70 UCU Ladies
Sharing Youth 63-68 City Oilers
Our Saviour 58-71 UCU Canons
Ndejje Univ. Angels 63-52 Betway Power
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