Written by FELIX EUPAL
Nearly a month into the 2010 basketball season, Felix Eupal sorts out the contenders from pretenders in the men’s category.
DMARK POWER
Last year’s losing finalists might have started big with that win over Warriors but a lot of things are yet to be fixed by Andrew Bazira if he hopes to reclaim the title he last won in 2008.
Isaac Afidra, the man who topped the scoring chats last season, is not yet back in shape and has failed to make double digits in any game he has featured in so far.
Power is a big squad but they’ve struggled when the main man is not at his best. On the other hand, the signing of 19 year-old Emma Enabu has been a welcome boost for Bazira.
Power seemed to have a big crisis on his hands until Enabu stepped up his game. And he continues to say that this is just the beginning.
That said, the team badly misses the services of his elder brother Mark Enabu, Allan Tawooda, Kenneth Balyejusa and Richard Talemwa who aren’t at full fitness.
WARRIORS
Defending champions Warriors might have emptied their bank account in their pursuit for regional dominance but only two of their five signings fit the bill at the moment. Orom Makmot and Eric Malinga have at least shown that they can tango the Warrior style.
In three of their last four outings Makmot has topped their scoring chats while Malinga has continued to impress with his trademark jump shots which he never seem to miss.
MOUNTAIN DEW FALCONS
After being written off this season after the departure of several key players, the record champions signed 12 new players, seven of them foreign. But with just two games on their hands so far, it’s hard at the moment to make a proper assessment of the six-time champions.
On the bright side the fixture list favours them since the start with the weak teams has boosted their confidence and re-instilled the faith in the new players. We need to wait and see.
KIU TITANS
Nimrod Kaboha’s men are hanging in with the big boys after winning their opening three games. However, despite the inspirational performances from Jeff Mwaniki and Brian Wati, it will take a miracle for Kaboha to pull it off with such a depleted squad.
UCU CANONS
After surviving relegated by a whisker last season, rookie coach Nick Natuhereza has instilled belief and a winning mentality in the Mukono side.
Their first three performances have erased any doubt that they can’t match the top teams. Jeff Omondi’s return has boosted the morale of the team and they feel that this is surely their year.
Last season they suffered from having a small bench but that has been fixed and any one would comfortably bet their money on them to at least make the playoffs.