Friday, June 24
•JKL Lady Dolphins Vs UCU Lady Canons – 7pm
•UCU Canons Vs KIU Titans – 9pm

It’s 931 days since JKL Lady Dolphins last lost a game of basketball!

And JKL Lady Dolphins will have their unbeaten run at stake when they take on UCU Lady Canons in the NBL thriller on Friday.

They have been untouched this season, winning all their nine games in the first round, as it was the case in the 2019 season.

They won all the five last season before the campaign was halted by COVID-19 pandemic.

In those five last year, included a 76-72 win over UCU Canons in Mukono.

In the first round this season, JKL beat UCU 70-49 on March 12 at YMCA court in Wandegeya.

But their last loss came against UCU, a 68-61 in 2019 NBL final playoffs game five. Though JKL went on to win the next two to seal their second title.

But a lot has changed, that UCU team had the likes of Rhoda Naggita, Zainah Lokwameri, Brenda Kayaga, Sarah Ageno and Abei Priscilla who have all left.

Not taking away much from KCCA Leopards and KIU Rangers, UCU may look the best suited side to stop JKL this season partly because of a good coach in Nicholas Natuhereza and their history.

But this season has seen them collect mixed results – They have won 9 and lost three, with those three losses coming against JKL, Angels and KCCA.

This is going to be the third straight game against a title rival after facing KIU and KCCA (both wins) in the second round.

JKL are fresh, as this is their first game in the second round.

Like earlier stated, they beat up on everyone in the first round and in UCU they start with their toughest challenge.

Four players on the JKL team – Stella Oyella, Flavia Oketcho, Hope Akello and Brenda Ekone – are averaging double figures in scoring, with the latter on 20.3 (highest in the league).

In addition, Akello is averaging 13 rebounds – meaning she is averaging a double double per game!

For the Canons on the other hand, they have left a lot of luggage for Rose Akon to carry. She is the only player to average double figures in scoring at the club (and she is averaging double digits in rebounds as well).

The rest of the players have failed to find consistence and with the departure of Ruth Letaru to KCCA Leopards leaves a big gap in the team’s back court.

Probable Starting Five

JKL Lady Dolphins – Flavia ‘Flirsh’ Oketcho, Rita Imanishimwe, Brenda Ekone, Thelma Delane Toskin, Hope Akello

UCU Lady Canons – Shakira Nanvubya, Azidah Nabayunga, Hajara Najuko, Rose Akon, Bridget Aber