Last season’s biggest disappointment in the national league, KIU Titans, exhibited glimpses of brilliance enroute to winning the first edition of FUBA Easter Cup at Lugogo Indoor stadium over the weekend.
No strangers to new additions every other season, KIU have not disappointed and have added new faces to the core that lost to Power in the league semifinals last year.
The new cast, which features Joseph Bwanga, Francis Mbuyi, Gideon Kasasa, Caesar Adoke and Ivan Muhwezi blended well with the old guard to push past Warriors 78-68 in the final and lift the cup.
Bwanga, voted MVP at the end of the tournament, put in good shifts on both ends of the floor as the Titans led for most parts of the game.
Bwanga posted 20 points while Geoffrey Soro contributed 19 in KIU’s victory. Cyrus Kiviiri had 21 points and 8 rebounds in Warriors’ losing effort.
Eventual top scorer of the tournament Soro, Sudi Ulanga, Ettiene Kazungu, Chris Omanye and Collins Kasujja are the only players to have been with KIU the previous season.
To make the finals, KIU defeated Power in the semis while Warriors eliminated newly promoted JKL Dolphins.
Warriors also had a chance of trying out their new cast of players. While Mike Bazangu didn’t feature at the event because of injury, Saidi Amisi and Stanley Mugerwa played a big role in Warriors’ futile search for a piece of silverware this year.
In the ladies category, KCCA Leopards made light work of JKL Lady Dolphins with a 63-45 win to lift the cup.
Power and A1 Challenge defeated JKL Dolphins and KIU Rangers respectively to take third place.
KCCA’ Cynthia Irankunda was voted MVP while JKL’s Jamila Nansikombi took the top scorer’s medal with Martha Soigi out-rebounding the rest.
