Friday, May 20 (YMCA, Wandegeya)
•JKL Dolphin Vs Our Saviour – 9:30pm
JKL Dolphins’ Guard Jude Ochen says they must improve their team defense if they are to achieve their targets.
JKL Dolphins face Our Saviour in the Tusker-Lite Sponsored NBL on Friday in their remaining first round fixture.
They come into this one on the back of a 56-64 loss against UCU Canons on May 13 at Lugogo.
“Our defence had a lot of lapses especially in the third quarter, they (UCU) had about three or four possessions where they shot three threes and we could have done better,” Jude told The-SportsNation, reflecting on the loss against UCU.
“We have to play better defence, and I believe we can give any team a good run for their money.”
JKL Dolphins are conceding an average of 64.2 points per game.
“Our defence has to step up, and we also need to do better when it comes to offenses. We are also turning the ball a lot,” Jude added.
JKL have only won four games coming against Victoria University, Nam Blazers, Falcons and Ndejje Angels.
They have lost seven, including one against Newcomers Tropical Royals! In 2019, when the league was last played to Completion, JKL finished the first round with a 8-3 (eight wins and just three losses).
A lot has changed since, but their biggest undoing has been quality in depth. Ivan Lumanyika, John Balwigaire, Libe Makala, Joseph Wacha, Innocent Ochera, Christian Milambu and Jonathan Egau are some of the players who left the Mukono-based side.
A couple of players in the current squad have shown promising signs, including Malual Dier and Mabor Makol who are averaging double figures in scoring.
The duo, have complimented well the experienced Brian Namake and Jude, but some are yet to step up.
Against UCU, JKL Dolphins managed to get three points (yes, 3 points) from the bench!
“Our team is full of young guys, but they are energetic and will be ready soon. We will be good to go,” Jude added.
Ochen who has started nine of 11 games, is averaging 6.6 points for JKL this season.
Against Our Saviour, they face a side that has won four from nine, and led by their former player Joseph Wacha who will be extra motivated against a familiar opponent.
