Prime
Andrew Tendo: City Oilers will get better
Coach Tendo is confident. PHOTO/JOHN BATANUDDE
What you need to know:
Missing sof their key players like Titus Lual and Fayed Baale, Oilers went pound for pound with the Blazers but eventually fell short as Moses Mugisha’s free throw with just over a second left deciding the contest.
City Oilers tactician Andrew Tendo believes his side will only get better as the National Basketball League progresses.
The champions, despite a spirited fight, fell 81-80 to the Namuwongo Blazers last Friday and will be looking to get off the mark when they face JT Jaguars on Friday.
Missing sof their key players like Titus Lual and Fayed Baale, Oilers went pound for pound with the Blazers but eventually fell short as Moses Mugisha’s free throw with just over a second left deciding the contest.
“It was just the first game and I feel like we will get better,” Tendo told Daily Monitor.
“Some nerves were in some of our new kids and I believe those will get out of the way eventually,” he added.
Edgar Munaba, a new signing from KIU Titans, was one of the debutants for Oilers and impressed with a game-high 24 points and collecting 11 rebounds for an outstanding double-double.
Joseph Chuma fouled out with a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds while Bolton Rujumba, despite failing to score, had seven rebounds in 11 minutes.
Class is permanent
Baale’s absence forced Tendo into playing Ben Komakech for stretched periods, which saw the veteran guard deliver one of his biggest performances, registering 18 points, six rebounds and four assists.
Going up against one of his longtime teammates Jimmy Enabu, Komakech made big plays to ensure the short-handed Oilers made the clash a contest against a stacked Blazers side.
“This reminds me that class is permanent,” Tendo said of Komakech’s performance.
Komakech, who was named the team’s assistant coach on December 22, 2023, played 31 minutes in the opener and will have to play a big part in the team’s start to the new season.
“This goes to the young kinds, get your fundamentals right and that’s how you are able to play into your old age.”
With 10 straight championships in the bag, Oilers are out for the 11th.
“We carry the same mindset into every season and that hasn't changed this year.”
In their second game, Oilers will go up against JT Jaguars, who defeated Livingstone 73-46 in last weekend.
The Jaguars added the size and experience of Peter Sifuma and the Kenyan center recorded a double-double of 10 points and 12 rebounds on his debut.
Fadhili Chuma and Ian Lubwama are the other players Oilers will be weary of this evening.
National Basketball League
Playing Friday –Lugogo
Women
UCU vs. KIU, 7pm
Men
JT Jaguars vs. City Oilers, 9pm
Results
Women
Lady Jaguars 73-30 Angels
UPDF 62-47 Nkumba
KCCA 75-80 Miracle
Men
Livingstone 48-67 JKL
UCU 61-67 Rockets
Nam Blazers 99-63 Victoria
