by Sande Bashaija
Wandegeya
Friday results
Falcons 107-85 Marines
Warriors 68-62 Canons
Women
Lady Canons 52-58 A-1
Saturday
KIU Rangers 71-50 Stormers
Friday at YMCA
Falcons v DMark Poweer
KCC Lions v Knight Riders
KIU Rangers v Sparks
Watching Falcons against Nkumba University Marines on Friday night, you would have thought they were playing a championship final. They showed the hunger of a side that is pursuing a maiden title.
Yet this is a team that has six trophies in its cabinet. Counted off by many as mere participants following three losses in five games, Falcons looked vulnerable in every department prior to Friday.
They lined up against Marines without talisman Henry Malinga, who is out for the rest of the regular season and betting against them to lose required no courage. After four quarters, the scoreboard read 107-85 for Falcons. That confirmed that Falcons are back and will definitely have a say in this year’s championship.
Been there, done that
Never mind that holders DMark Power and Warriors remain the favourites. “We have been there on several occasions and we know what it takes,” Falcons’ patron John Ssimbwa said.
In their humiliating loss against KIU, Malinga (knee) and Shs72m acquisition Stephen Omony (ankle) joined the suspended duo of Sande Okot and Isaac Lugudde on the sidelines, leaving the peripheral players to struggle.
They were completely humbled and that was by far Falcons’ worst display in recent years. “Players can’t be left to die on the pitch. If they are injured, they have to rest but the others must step up,” Ssimbwa noted.
Superb Obol
Stepping up they have – and at the right time. Sam Obol rediscovered his form with a season high 24 points against Marines while Omony shrugged off the injury to add 26.
Lethal point guard Francis Tumusiime, kept out of action for the bigger part of the season by personal problems, has also returned to the team while Malinga is expected back for the semi-finals where Falcons will face either DMark Power or Warriors.
Lugudde’s four-match suspension is coming to an end and Ssimbwa will soon have all his guns ready to shoot for another trophy.