NBL Round 9: Derby game ends with KIU Titans' defeat of Power

Edgar Munaba

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game was a derby match between two local teams from Kampala: KIU Titans (#2) and Power (#8). Power was defeated at home 53-68 and even the advantage of their own court did not help. KIU Titans forced 22 Power turnovers. It was a good game for Edgar Munaba who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 12 points and 16 rebounds. Isaiah Ater contributed with 21 points (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) for the winners. Stephen Otoa answered with a double-double by scoring 14 points and 13 rebounds for Power. Power's coach rotated ten players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. KIU Titans have a solid series of four victories in a row. They maintain second place with 6-1 record having seven points less than leader City Oilers. Power lost sixth consecutive game. They dropped to the tenth position with six games lost. KIU Titans' supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Kampala Blazers.
Important game to mention about took place in Kampala. Seventh ranked JKL Dolphins (3-4) saved a 3-point derby victory on the road edging 9th ranked Ndejje Angels (3-5) 66-63 on Wednesday evening. Denis Omara stepped up and scored 22 points and 8 rebounds for the winners and Bienfait Minani chipped in 9 points and 8 assists. The best for the losing side was Joseph Kumbai with a double-double by scoring 12 points and 17 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. JKL Dolphins moved-up to fifth place, which they share with KCCA P. Ndejje Angels lost fourth consecutive game. They dropped to the seventh position with five games lost. They share it with UPDF. JKL Dolphins' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Kampala to the arena Power.
The game between third ranked Blazers (5-2) and 12th ranked Kampala R. (1-5) in Kampala on Saturday ended with biggest points difference. Blazers outscored guests from Kampala 103-70. Peter Cheng nailed a double-double by scoring 30 points and 16 rebounds for the winning side. Gideon Kasasa came up with 13 points and 8 rebounds for Kampala R. in the defeat. Kampala R.'s coach gave up on the game allowing to play ten players seeing no chance for a win. Blazers maintains third place with 5-2 record having eight points less than leader City Oilers. Kampala R. lost third consecutive game. Newly promoted team stay at the bottom position with five games lost. Blazers' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Kampala to the arena KIU Titans.

In the last game of round 9 UPDF was beaten by Ndejje Angels on the road 66-62.