Omony returns to lift Falcons
Sep 15, 2013
STEPHEN Omony returned from injury and the Falcons returned to winning the kind of big games that define their illustrious history
By Charles Mutebi
Airtel National Basketball League
Women
KIU 71 Stormers 53
Men
Falcons 83 City Oil 80
Today, YMCA
Women
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KCCA v Sparks
Men
Proline v Ndejje
Miracle v Warriors
Rhinos v Falcons
FUBA Division 1
Men
Stormers v Gulu
Ssaku v Sharing
Makindye v UMU
Diamond v Bush Court
Women
Beebwa v Cubs
STEPHEN Omony returned from injury and the Falcons returned to winning the kind of big games that define their illustrious history.
Out with a broken nose in the Falcons’ last three games (all defeats), Omony bounced back with a team-high 25 points that led the Falcons to an 83-80 victory over City Oil in the Airtel National Basketball League Friday at the YMCA.
After all these years, Omony’s star still shines bright like a diamond.
Captain Peter Elungant added 19 points and Phillip Amweny made 17 as the Falcons offered the kind of deluxe offensive performance that makes it hard to write them off the title despite their poor regular season.
Everyone knows that if Gad Eteu’s Falcons get anywhere near their best basketball, they are genuine contenders for the 2013 title. City Oil will surely want to avoid them in the playoff quarterfinals, something the Falcons are quite prepared for as Eteu pointed out in the pre-match run-up.
City Oil were once again led by Kami Kabangu, recently returned from the 2013 Afrobasket Championship in Abidjan, with a game-high 32 points and 10 rebounds. Jimmy Enabu added 14 points on a tough shooting night, which saw him go 1 for 8 from three-point range.
Mandy Juruni’s City Oil have enjoyed a memorable debut season in the national men’s elite hoops division but how deep they go into the playoffs may depend on whether Kabangu and Enabu find a team-mate to help carry the scoring load.
Meanwhile, Florence Nanyonga, Ruth Nakitto and Aisha Nakabubi netted 23, 15 and 11 points respectively as the KIU Rangers hammered the Magic Stormers 71-53. The Stormers were led by Sylvia Kaweesa, with 13 points.
The Falcons are back in action today at the YMCA with a tricky fixture against the Charging Rhinos, who look destined to enter the playoffs as eighth seed. A victory will see the Falcons win back-to-back games for the first time in over three months.