FUBA National Basketball League 2018/19
Wednesday, 12-06-2019
MTN Arena, Lugogo
-Kampala University vs Ndejje University 6:30pm
-UCU Canons vs JKL Dolphins @8:30pm
LUGOGO – UCU Canons hit the ground running in the current Federation of Uganda Basketball Association (FUBA) National Basketball League (NBL) as they ended the first round top of the Men’s division.
The Mukono based side were brilliant in the early season, winning 10 of their 11 games.
However, the second round did not witness the same start as UCU lost 58-80 to Betway Power in their opening game.
It is however not a loss that would call for a crisis as Power are one of the sides expected to challenge for the title, season in and out.
Ahead of the game, UCU Canons head coach Nicholas Natuhereza notes that his side should avoid being careless so as to reach the desired level.
“If we cut out the careless mistakes, like if you look back at the game we lost against KIU we were a little bit careless, we beat Warriors but all through the game we gave them easy points, so if we can cut that out. We can be at a convincing level I want. Said Natuhereza.
On the game against JKL, Natuhereza stresses that his side need to create so many shots so as to win the contest.
“The most important thing is to create the shots, and that is a good day for us if they go in.
“Shooting makes the game easy. Being in the top four is our target, we want to play much better than we did in the first half.
For JKL, they have so far performed as expected.
Their 9 wins in 12 games ensure they are very much in the running for a playoff spot.
Their first second round game saw JKL defeat Sharing Youth 53-51 in a closely contested encounter.
JKL are currently on a three game winning run and will be hoping to make it four on the trot.
“We just have to go back and emphasize the importance of every game also the fact that we have to be consistent, play well and keep bringing our A game every time we go on court,” said Henry Malinga, head coach JKL Dolphins after the win against Sharing Youth.
When the two sides met in the first round, UCU defeated JKL 71-58, ironically, the Dolphins very last defeat.
In the other game to be played on Wednesday, Ndejje Univeristy and Kampala University will face-off in a battle of learning institutions.
Making their maiden appearance in the top flight, KU were handed a baptism of fire as they lost 9 of their 11 first round games.
The second round started off in similar fashion for KU as they lost 74-81 to record champions Falcons.
It will be a tough test against a Ndejje University side who are desperate to return to winning ways having lost all of their last five games, going down to Warriors (*2), City Oilers, KIU Titans and Betway Power.
On the back of an 80-63 victory over KU in the first round, Ndejje will be confident that they can register their 7th victory of the season.
