15 November 2011

UGANDA : Warriors rally to soar over Power

A huge result came down to a big umpiring call in favour of Kyambogo Warriors to edge DMark Power 96-94 on Sunday night thereby finishing the MTN-Fuba League regular season as seed one.

The trend from the past week continued when umpire John Omondi called a contentious foul by Jimmy Enabu on Jude Ochen with 11 seconds on the clock and the game tied at 94-up. YMCA court was buzzing as Warriors had clawed back from 13-point deficit mid-way through the third period. Ochen sunk two of the resultant three free throws for a tally of nine points which proved enough to preserve Warriors’ perfect 6-0 record against the other playoff teams.
“That could have been a bad call but it came against 20 bad ones,” Mandy Juruni, the Warriors coach, said. Neither team seemed impressed with the officiating. These complaints are becoming habitual.
The guard only completed a job started by MVP candidate Eric Malinga to confirm last year’s losing finalists as favourites for a second title and the celebration of their fans told it all.

However, Warriors, like everyone else, still have work as Power were the better side for most of the night.
The champions were quicker off the blocks to edge ahead 29-19 after the first period. Even after Warriors fought back 17-14 and 30-28 in the next two, it remained Power’s game to win or rather lose.
Michael Kojo seemed unplayable on the inside for his 12 points and nine rebounds early on. He was getting support from reigning MVP Ben Komekech (19), Isaac Luggudde (18), Joseph Ikong (14) and Isaac Afidra (13).
Warriors were clearly rattled. Then Eric Malinga finally showed up to score all his 17 points in the second half and swing the game though Power still led by five (94-89) with one and four seconds to play.
On the next transition, a charge was given on Power’s Emmanuel Enabu as he tried to get past his brother Ivan Enabu. The latter scored one on the line for a total of 15.
Ochen sunk a deep three before the winning baskets from the charity line. Warriors clearly played within themselves with mainly Henry Malinga’s 16 points and eight rebounds saving them from early surrender.


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