by Charles Mutebi
KIU bounced back from defeat to the Mogas Falcons to record a thrilling 89-85 victory over Nkumba Marines in over-time in an MTN basketball league on Sunday.
The Kansanga-based university team will be counting their blessings though, as Nkumba's Salim Ali could have actually won the game for his team at the end of normal play but missed one of two free throws to tie the score at 74.
by Charles Mutebi
KIU bounced back from defeat to the Mogas Falcons to record a thrilling 89-85 victory over Nkumba Marines in over-time in an MTN basketball league on Sunday. The Kansanga-based university team will be counting their blessings though, as Nkumba's Salim Ali could have actually won the game for his team at the end of normal play but missed one of two free throws to tie the score at 74. Ali had also been at fault 12 seconds earlier when he lost the ball in his own half from which KIU scored to take the lead although Nkumba's playmaker protested that he had been unfairly hassled off the ball in the process.
Marines blew another chance four minutes into overtime, failing to hold onto a four point lead KIU duly punished them with Mandy Juruni (169-G), netting five from the line in the extra period. Part of Nkumba's Boniface Okello game-high 36, which is the most any player has scored this season, appeared to be guiding the Marines to an impressive win when they led 45-33 at the half. But KIU outscored their opponents 23-10 in the third to begin their ultimately comeback. A1 Challenge remained the only women's team with a perfect record after condemning the Amazon Rhinos to their fifth straight defeat. A1 was far from their best but their 36-23 victory was enough to secure their fourth straight win.
Results
Marines 85-89 KIU Heaters 75-60 Bugema Berkeley 60-41 Biston Nabisunsa 24-45 KIU
Defending Champions Falcons set for League opener.
Defending and record cchampions, Falcons are in top gear as they await their league opener against Mukono Based UCU Canons.the last time the two met was in last season's play off semi final and the latter lost to the champs after having a good run through out the regular league.
Defending and record cchampions, Falcons are in top gear as they await their league opener against Mukono Based UCU Canons.the last time the two met was in last season's play off semi final and the latter lost to the champs after having a good run through out the regular league. The Malinga Brothers shall be at the fore front for Falcons assisted by improved point guard Francis tumusime and new signing Ronnie Kalule formerly of Rhino which was relegated to 2nd division after a FUBA decision to relegate thre teams to the lower division.UCU shall be without Philip Odour who aws famed for his trade mark spot dunks but will rely on ace pont guard Ivan Enabu and the Mugabe brothers to avenge their bitter loss in thesemi final play off last season.The first game of the night will be equally thrilling with the 2000 league champions Power facing off with KIU.Power shall be without Wilbrod Oketcho after suffering a thigh injury that might see him sidelined for the entire season,however they have reccruited massively and with the likes of Isaac Afidra returning to his old club from KIU and Ben Komaketch who was with Miracle they are poised to be favourites for the title.The ladies opener will be between rivals KCC Leopards and KIU Rangers.the begins will be played at Lugogo Indoor staduim this Evening.
Fixtures: POWER VS KIU 5.30 PM KCC LEOPARDS VS KIU RANGERS 7.00PM FALCONS VS UCU CANONS 8.30 PM
April expects hot games
by Eurobasket News - Mar 14, 2008
Mogas Falcons will begin their MTN Basketball League title defense against Uganda Christian University Canons on April 11. Falcons upset Canons last year in the semifinal, even though the latter stayed undefeated through the regular season. In another game KCC Leopards will meet KIU Rangers. The game is planned for April 11 as well. At first it was scheduled to start the games on April 4th, but due to the bookings of the gym the start was postponed.
Mogas Falcons will begin their MTN Basketball League title defense against Uganda Christian University Canons on April 11. Falcons upset Canons last year in the semifinal, even though the latter stayed undefeated through the regular season. In another game KCC Leopards will meet KIU Rangers. The game is planned for April 11 as well. At first it was scheduled to start the games on April 4th, but due to the bookings of the gym the start was postponed. It will give a bit more time for the teams to prepare. Two campaigns will be played in Lugogo Indoor Stadium.
Sadolin Power triumphs in Miracle Invitational tournament
by Eurobasket News - Mar 4, 2008
Sadolin Power won Miracle Invitational tournament that was held in Uganda. The team overcame Kyambogo Warriors 55:48 to climb the top. In a tough game the winners made everything to grab the title. Isaac Afidra (193-G/F) returned to his former side top-scoring a team high 13 points. Wilbrod Oketcho (196-F) added 11 points as Sadolin warmed up for the new season with a morale boosting win over the national league runners-up.
Sadolin Power won Miracle Invitational tournament that was held in Uganda. The team overcame Kyambogo Warriors 55:48 to climb the top. In a tough game the winners made everything to grab the title. Isaac Afidra (193-G/F) returned to his former side top-scoring a team high 13 points. Wilbrod Oketcho (196-F) added 11 points as Sadolin warmed up for the new season with a morale boosting win over the national league runners-up. Brian Gumisiriza (196-F) and Ronnie Kasewu (199-F) showed good game for the visitors. The tournament received many positive feedbacks from the players.
Miracle Invitational tournament
by Eurobasket News - Mar 3, 2008
National Basketball League finalists Kyambogo Warriors and Mogas Falcons are ready to participate in the Miracle Invitational tournament at Wandegeya. Last year Warriors suffered a bitter loss to Falcons in the best five final series 2-3. The event has attracted several top teams including Sadolin Power, Knight Riders, Crane High and hosts Miracle. The three-day event has received a sponsorship boost from Rwenzori Beverages.
National Basketball League finalists Kyambogo Warriors and Mogas Falcons are ready to participate in the Miracle Invitational tournament at Wandegeya. Last year Warriors suffered a bitter loss to Falcons in the best five final series 2-3. The event has attracted several top teams including Sadolin Power, Knight Riders, Crane High and hosts Miracle. The three-day event has received a sponsorship boost from Rwenzori Beverages. It should be a great tournament before the championship and the teams will do their best to make the other teams be surprised about them.
Mogas Falcon's team Captain,Henry Malinga (193-F) beat his brother and team-mate Eric Malinga (186-G) and Warrior's Ronnie Kasewu (199-F) to the coveted MVP award Last Weekend at the official prize giving ceremony and close of the 2006/2007 league.Malinga who has been a dominant player in the league for the last six years becomes the first player to win three MVP awards .
Mogas Falcon's team Captain,Henry Malinga (193-F) beat his brother and team-mate Eric Malinga (186-G) and Warrior's Ronnie Kasewu (199-F) to the coveted MVP award Last Weekend at the official prize giving ceremony and close of the 2006/2007 league.Malinga who has been a dominant player in the league for the last six years becomes the first player to win three MVP awards .He played a major role in Falcon's league triumph,coming from a career threatening injury to spur his team on to remarkable victory from two down in the play off finals to win it 3-2 against an on form warriors. He averaged 20 pts in the play offs and was simply unstoppable at the post ahich underlined his status as the best post player in the league.Phillip Wakimwero (186-F) was voted MVP in the second division which he duly deserved afterimpresive displays in the finals on top of topping the scorer's chart in the division.Stephen Okias (193-C/F) was another player decorated in the glamorous evening hosted by MTN, the league's officila sponsors.He set his own record by claiming the top scorer award for the third time in a row.A.Mugisha of Berkley was MVP for the third division while Rhino Which narrowly survived Relegation,Najja High School and St.Micheal were rewarded for being the best disciplined teams in the 1st,2nd and 3rd divisions respectively.UCU Canons,Gulu Hawks and Najja were voted the best defensive players in their respective divisions.Action now shifts to the preparations for the zone five under twenty which is being hosted by Uganda in January.
Revenge Will be on the agenda in the finals of the on going University games when Uganda Christian University Mukono who are the hosts take on arch rivals Kampala International University after the two sides defeated power houses Makerere and Nkumba in games played yester evening.UCU will look forward to edging their rivals after they lost to them in the semi finals of the UTL Invitational university games in October denying them the opportunity to retain the title.
Revenge Will be on the agenda in the finals of the on going University games when Uganda Christian University Mukono who are the hosts take on arch rivals Kampala International University after the two sides defeated power houses Makerere and Nkumba in games played yester evening.UCU will look forward to edging their rivals after they lost to them in the semi finals of the UTL Invitational university games in October denying them the opportunity to retain the title.In the first semi, UCU humilated record champions and power house Makerere 101-86 in an exciting encouter watched by a big crowd.Makerere who were defending champions had a star- studded team which included Komakech Ben,Balemwa Richard,Tawoda Allan and Kariuki Micheal but could not rise to the occasion as they were outclassed by the hosts.In The second semi former giants Nkumba went down fighting in a closely contested game against an improved KIU to set up an eciting final to be played later on today.In the ladies category, UCU ladies led by former MVP and National team point guard Flavia Oketcho defeated kyambogo university by a narrow margin 51-44.Mariam Birungi(18 pts) was quite impeccable in her game but could lift kyambogo to a win.The other semi was more or less one sided with emerging powerhouse KIU thrashing defending champions Makerere university who were without point guuards Olivia Mulwana (-G) and Injured Carol Nantalo (-G),66-50 to set up a clash with UCU.The two teams met in the finals of the UTL Invitational university games and UCU had the edge.
Competing as underdogs, Entebbe based Knight Riders who were relegated back to division 2 in the league despite a petition against Champions Falcons for fielding Louis Habineza, which would have seen them remain in top flight, beat the odds in a series of upsets to win the men's trophy in the 15th Abe Lincoln title. They came from behind to narrowly edge Miracle 54-50 in a closely contested game last Friday at YMCA grounds.
Competing as underdogs, Entebbe based Knight Riders who were relegated back to division 2 in the league despite a petition against Champions Falcons for fielding Louis Habineza, which would have seen them remain in top flight, beat the odds in a series of upsets to win the men's trophy in the 15th Abe Lincoln title. They came from behind to narrowly edge Miracle 54-50 in a closely contested game last Friday at YMCA grounds. Miracle led by Komaketch Ben (14 pts) dominated the 1st quarter and built a 10 point lead but were unable to maintain it in the second with the deadly trio of Ivan Enabu (182-G) (12 pts), Mark Enabu (191-G) (11 pts) and Captain Collin Mukiza (13 pts) putting up a splendid performance to even the score by half time. Leads were exchanged in the third quarter and fourth quarter and with 5 minutes left on the clock Riders who were trailing by six points utilized turn-over by Miracle to gain a four point lead and never turned back. Chris kyebambe (9 pts) was brought on by Miracle in the dying minutes but his efforts were not enough to claw back. Knight Riders had earlier on humiliated League Champions 42-24 in the semis while Miracle edged Is division new comers Crane High 52-33.Top contenders Warriors were no show and failed to make it past preliminaries, losing to Riders as well.' this has been a good close to the year for us and winning this tournament ahead of teams like Falcons, Warriors and Miracle is not only an achievement but under lines the strength of our team which was unlucky to be relegated. We will bounce back to top flight and not look back.” Collin Mukiza told Eurobasket. In the junior category, Livingstone outclassed R.M.C to lift the junior's title 53-49 in a tense final that could have gone to any team. This was the second year in a row for Ugandan teams to win the title though this year round; there were no foreign teams.
Mogas Falcons demonstrated strong determination and vast experience to claim their sixth title in ten years, coming from two games down in a best of five final series to down Kyambogo Based side, Warriors 75-68 in the final game of the series. The victory asserted their superiority in the MTN Fuba basketball league and re-wrote their own history as the most decorated club in the league.
Mogas Falcons demonstrated strong determination and vast experience to claim their sixth title in ten years, coming from two games down in a best of five final series to down Kyambogo Based side, Warriors 75-68 in the final game of the series. The victory asserted their superiority in the MTN Fuba basketball league and re-wrote their own history as the most decorated club in the league. Brothers and former Warrior Players, Eric Malinga (186-G) (22 pts) and Henry Malinga (193-F) (18 pts) played pivot roles in the win, tormenting their opponents at the post to establish a comfortable lead by the half time whistle 42-30. Warriors woke up in the third and fourth quarter narrowing the margin posting an impressive 26-18 score in the fourth as they rallied from behind in an attempt to win their maiden title but it was a little too late. Ronnie Kasewu (199-F) and Stephen Okias (193-C/F) scored 17 pts a piece but it wasn't enough to salvage victory for the kyambogo team that failed to contain the rampant Falcons.” We worked hard for the title and the team was committed however they (warriors) were a good team,” Mr.Simbwa John, manager of Falcons revealed to Euro basket. Two Time MVP and team captain Henry Malinga was the most elated player after coming back from an injury that saw him out of action most of the league and disclosed to euro basket that they (falcons) will come back stronger next season to defend their title and believed that the biggest error Warriors made was lose game three and that was the beginning of their downfall. Previous Winners: 1998 Falcons 1999 Falcons 2000 Power 2001 Sky Jammers 2002 Falcons 2003 Falcons 2004 Falcons 2005 Nkumba Marines 2006 Nkumba Marines 2007 Falcons
