Friday, May 10
Nkumba Lady Marines Vs UCU Lady Canons, 6:30 Warriors Vs Oilers, 8:30 PM
UCU Lady Canons may not find it easy when they face Nkumba Lady Marines in a National Basketball League game set for Friday at the Indoor Arena in Lugogo.
The Entebbe based team will pose many questions to UCU who last played league basketball on April 19.
The Lady Canons have however won the last four meetings between these two Universities – They won 84-65 and 80-54 last season and had a stellar rollover in 2017, winning 74-60 and 81-66, all in regular season.
UCU will be without coach Nicholas Natuhereza who is in USA and hence Emmanuel Kiguyi and Sam Lukaire will be in charge.
The 2017 champions have had a mixed start to the season, beating YMCA 77-42 before falling 67-76 to JKL Lady Dolphins.
UCU may welcome back Rhoda Naggita who has been off since last season with a knee injury, Sarah Ageno is also expected to mark her deputy this season. The duo’s return is a timely boost for a side that has three games in a space of three days.
Nkumba had a bright start when they recorded their first three wins from as many games – beating Angels (61-60), UMU Ravens (77-64) and YMCA (73-36) but proved a no match when they faced JKL and KCCA Leopards.
Who To Watch:
Brenda Ekone (Nkumba)
With Fina Busingye expected to miss out again, Brenda Ekone’s load is expected to more heavier than ever before.
The Regular season MVP for two seasons running has started from where she stopped last season, averaging 25 points and she will be a big threat to UCU with her explosive drives.
Ekone is very athletic and aggressive with the ball, but she cannot do the duty alone. She will have to share the ball more with her teammates and of course they too have to join the party.
Susan Becca Aanyau has improved since last season, Haruri Catherine and Joan Nampungu must have a big say tonight too.
Zainah Lokwameri (UCU Lady Canons)
She commands huge respect from her teammates and she has earned it with consistence.
Her game reading puts her up there among the best in the league, and this season, she is trying to put everything in her own hands. She has to, after the exits of other senior players mainly Vilma Achieng.
Zainah has averaged 31 minutes this season, scoring 43 points, 10 assists and 18 rebounds. She will have to replicate such performances day in day out if UCU will have a big say in this year’s title contest.
The return of point guard Naggita boosts the back court that looked shaky even with some strong performances from the likes of Brenda Kayaga, Shakira Nanvubya and Maimuna Nabbosa.
