Canons plot for Power''s downfall

By Charles Mutebi

Airtel National Basketball League

Women

A1 75 KCCA 70

KIU 77 Nabisunsa 68

Men

Ndejje 67 Power 61

Falcons 65 KIU 62

Today

Women: KIU v UCU

Men: Power v UCU

DON’T bother predicting who will win between D’Mark Power and the UCU Canons in today’s Airtel National Basketball League (ANBL) thriller at Lugogo.

If this season has proved anything, it is that matches between the top seven teams in the men’s ANBL are up for grabs. Power were reminded of this on Wednesday at the YMCA when they lost to Walker Obedi’s Ndejje University Angels 67-61, with reigning MVP Geoffrey Soro, Brian Ouma and Jonah Otim netting 19, 16 and 11 points respectively for the victors.

Power went into the match with the fewest defeats in the ANBL (two) while Ndejje had six losses and the critical omen of having never beaten Bernes Ankunda’s side. 

Yet Ndejje claimed their 15th win of the season and reminded Power — who had 13 points from Michael Kojo and 12 apiece from Ben Komakech and Paul Odong — that they are not immune to the unpredictability of the league.

Now Power face UCU in what is basically a battle for the top seed in the impending playoffs, which is critical this season because the second seed will meet the dangerous Falcons in the quarterfinals.

Power are clearly still suffering from the untimely death of coach Ankuda’s wife and UCU will fancy their chances of getting revenge for their first round loss to their rivals.

Still, don’t bet on it — no one really knows who will win. One team exempt from all this volatility is the UCU Lady Canons, who have won all their 20 games this season and take on the KIU Rangers in the women’s ANBL. 

KIU have 11 wins and seven losses this season.