- Friday, April 19
- KIU Titans vs. Power – 8:30 pm, YMCA
KIU Titans and Power are without a doubt the leading candidates to dethrone the City Oilers, at least for this season.
While Power were having their first go at the six-time champions and year’s clear favorites on the opening night, Titans were lying in wait for league freshers Kampala University.
Power couldn’t handle City Oilers’ second-half small ball in the 69-66 defeat while for Titans, it was all but a training session as they eased to a 106-75 win.
On Friday night, KIU Titans will face their first real test of the season when they take on Power, a side they lost to in both meetings last season.
For head coach Brian Wathum, the game against Power is not one where they need to prove a point but rather try to get better at what they are trying to do as a team.
“The game against Power will not determine how our season will go. For me it’s about getting better as the season progresses because we know where we want to be,” he says.
Titans have been a shooting team since Wathum took charge and this season, they will even be more so. With Sudi Ulanga and Denis Balungu on the wings and Bwanga on the top of the mountain, KIU’s threat from downtown in real if they click.
The side that moves the ball around very well in the half court will make Power work on defence. Oscar Muge and Brian Sentongo will give the Kansanga based side some presence in the paint but will find the going tough against the likes of Philip Ameny, Brian Sivachi and Geoffrey Soro.
For Power, it’s about how their transition game goes especially playing at their training ground.
Syrus Kiviiri, who more often than not will direct traffic for the five-time champions, is expected to be crucial but will be required to play clean despite his aggressive self that led to his fouling out against Oilers.
Paul Odong barely showed out on the opening night and will be needed to take on some scoring load along with Libe Makala.
Sam Agutu will be facing his former side and could probably have a point or two to prove.
In the women’s game, JKL Lady Dolphins will be looking to stamp their authority in the divsion when they take on UCU Lady Canons.