Women
Gladiators 43-52 Javon Ladies
Men
JKL 68-53 Falcons
Sharing 56-64 UCU Canons
Ndejje 66-69 KIU Titans
The opening week of the National Basketball League gave the impression that it might take a while for the top teams to engage full gear. After Power’s 60-56 victory over champions City Oilers, only UCU can claim to have been convinced by their performance on Sunday evening.
The Mukono University side run out 64-56 winners over Sharing Youth despite the trio of Brian Namake, Andrew Gang and Fadhil Chuma essential last season, team sitting out the game. After trailing the opening quarter 20-18, the Nicholas Natuhereza coached side were never in trouble after winning the second quarter 18-10 with Jonathan Egau finishing with 20 points on 7-for-12 shooting. Steven Wundi added 18 points against the competitive Sharing who had Stepehen Otoa top scoring with 21 points and Kutai Gatwech 12.
The most compelling game though involved Ndejje who missed out on the playoffs last season matching the more fancied KIU Titans for long periods. The Titans who in the off-season again recruited from across borders started with Francis Mbuyi and Michael Bwang but it was old guard Chris Omanye who starred with a game high 22 points and eight assists. Mbuyi and Ethienne Kazungu supplemented with 14 points apiece for the Titans who are again expected to compete for this season’s title.
Mike Othieno showed he will be vital if the Walker Obedi coached Ndejje team are to compete for the playoffs leading with 19 points for the Angels who also edged the second and fourth quarters 16-14 and 21-18. League debutants JKL meanwhile made the perfect start with a 68-53 win over six-time league champions Startimes Falcons. Libe Makala led all scorers with 17 points with Phillipe Jean adding 10 points against the Falcons who will be looking to beef up their roster in the subsequent games. Bernard Okumu led the Falcons with a double double of 16 points and 15 rebounds while Francis Karoro added 14 and Vinnie Jurua 10.