Sunday, June 23
*Select Team 90-77 Uganda Silverbacks

Monday, June 24
*Gazelles (Women) Vs Select Team – 6PM
*Uganda Silverbacks Vs Select Team – 8PM

Silverbacks coach George Galanopoulos will need a magic wand to make the team shoot better and also rally his bench to deliver more, in less than four days before FIBA Africa Zone five tip off this Wednesday in Kampala.

The Silverbacks lost 90-77 to the league select team in a Sunday trial game at Lugogo. Uganda had won the first friendly on Thursday, and both teams are expected to face off again on Monday evening, same venue.

Four of the five starters scored in double figures – Robinson Opong and Brandon Davies weighed in with 15 each, Jimmy Enabu and Deng Geu contribute 11 each while Tony Drilleba could only manage five points in a losing effort.

Soro led the bench with eight points, another convincing performance from the ‘black panther’ outside his points with five rebounds despite shooting 5 for ten from the field.

The Silverbacks exploded to lead 20-12 in the first quarter failed to match that energy in the second quarter as the select team, coached by Brian Wathum, took control of proceedings to take the second quarter 32-19 and lead 44-39 at the long break. The league’s best held on to win a 13 point game.

The Silverbacks failed to contain the adrenaline of the select side, that flourished and bossed with size. Amisi Saidi Camelo had 16 points while Landry Ndikumana settled for 13. Captain Sudi Ulanga and Denis Balungu had 10 and 11 points respectively.

The weight seemed heavy for Brandon to clear at one point, as he was the main target for the select team that came with a point to prove, every one wanted to gauge his level and Brandon was the benchmark available.

You couldn’t blame them (select team), playing against a former NBA player is a once in life time opportunity. Francis Azolibe dunked on him, and Denis Balungu crossed him over to leave the former sixers crawling on the hard Lugogo floor amidst cheers and chants from a half filled arena.

Overall, Uganda shot an ugly 29 of 79 from the field, turned over the ball 16 times, and weighed just 20 points off the bench.

For now, let’s from the results and stats as the Silverbacks are just trying out something here and there. The coach is still studying on who to bring for who and at what particular time. Let’s hope that it will be a different ball game come Wednesday. But before that, Monday, they face off again. Will the Select team punch more holes into the leaking national side?

Silverbacks Player and Points in Trial Game Two
Isaac Lugudde (2), Jimmy Enabu (11), Robinson Opong (15), Josh Johnson (0) Ben Komakech (0), Deng Geu (11), James Okello (7), Syrus Kiviiri (0), Tonny Drilleba (5), Brandon Davies (15), Joseph Ikong (3), Geoffrey Soro (8), Ivan Muhwezi (3).