KIU Rangers vs Nkumba Lady Marines 18:00 Women Wandegeya YMCA
Falcons vs Betway Power 20:00 Men Wandegeya YMCA
There is a general belief within the Betway Power camp that complacency was a key factor in their latest reverse against Ndejje University Angels.
Power lost 69-65, their fourth defeat in 14 National Basketball League games with veteran forward Isaac Afidra calling for a change in mentality. "We cannot continue approaching games thinking a win will come easy. We need to change our attitude going into games," Afidra warned after Sunday’s game. The five-time champions are thus expected to come all guns blazing when they face off with Startimes Falcons as they seek to get a favorable seeding in the playoffs.
Power are currently seeded third with a 10-4 record and by the end of this evening’s action at YMCA, will have played a game more than the other four teams Pemba Warriors, UCU, KIU and City Oilers around them. They are nevertheless favourite for victory today even with the continued absence of captain Joseph Ikong in a game that pits the most successful teams in the division. The Power captain is with the Silverbacks team that starts their Afrobasket campaign on Friday.
Michael Makiadi is enjoying a stellar season for Power and the forward comes into today’s game on the back of a double-double of 30 points and 22 rebounds against Ndejje. Despite winning six titles, one more than Betway Power, Startimes Falcons have meanwhile been a shadow of their former selves. Now under the tutelage of former Power coach Bernes Ankunda, Falcons are not only in serious danger of missing out on the playoffs, they are actually still fighting relegation.
With a 3-10 record, they are only above Nkumba Marines and UPDF but with the latter having played a game less and the bottom two teams relegated in the 12-team division. Power also comfortably won the first round meeting between the two teams 86-51 which further points to a long evening for the Falcons.