Cricket
Another slice of Warriors-UCU Canons rivalry
Martin Okwako of UCU Canons (L) tries to get grip of the ball with Warriors’ Henry Malinga keeping him in check. Malinga makes his first season appearance for Warriors tonight. PHOTO BY ISMAIL KEZAALA
In Summary
Against Kampala A, Ulanga went wild with 32 points, going 13 for 14 from the free throw line, Kiviri scored 14, Owili had 14 points and eight rebounds and Martin Okwako contributed 13.
Thrice in the past four years, Warriors and UCU Canons met in the National Basketball League semifinals with the former, two-time champions, emerging victorious.
Besides Warriors-DMark Power, Warriors-UCU has grown to become a noteworthy rivalry – one that many look forward to every season.
Another segment of this will be served tonight at Lugogo. Only months have passed since Warriors beat UCU 3-2 in the semifinals enroute to another title.
So much has changed since – the most significant in the context of this clash being the transfer of Cyrus Kiviri from Warriors to UCU in the off-season. A preliminary report shows the guard as big buy, one that UCU really needed. “We are still at the stage of getting combinations right,” UCU coach Nicholas Natuhereza insisted.
After losing their own UCU Open to City Oliers, the Canons, playing as Mukono, cruised to the inter-cities title, defeating Kampala A 86-69 in the final last Saturday.
Natuhereza has considerably widened their scoring options to lessen the dependency on centre Desmond Owili and guard Sudi Ulanga.
Against Kampala A, Ulanga went wild with 32 points, going 13 for 14 from the free throw line, Kiviri scored 14, Owili had 14 points and eight rebounds and Martin Okwako contributed 13.
“Definitely, one step in the right direction,” Natuhereza said. UCU beat KIU 52-46 in the opener whereas Warriors thrashed minnows Miracle Eagles 94-26.
Their inside game was pleasing as Noel Hesbon scored 16 points and 12 rebounds and veteran Brian Gumisiriza contributed 20 points and 12 rebounds. Big men Henry Malinga and Michael Kariuki are also expected to play for the first time this season to face what is probably the best front line in the league.
Coach Sam Samanya must also demand more from his back court of Ivan Enabu and Ronnie Kasewu.
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