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An 8-3 record has last season’s runners-up in third place on the 12-team log.
Namuwongo Blazers went into the new National Basketball League season after losing most of the players that led the team to last year’s finals.
Players like Saidi Amisi, Ariel Okall, David Deng, Peter Obleng, Daniel Monoja, Collins Kasujja and Keneddy Wachira all left the team after losing to City Oilers in Game Seven of the finals.
The exodus meant that head coach Stephen Nyeko and the Blazers had to start from scratch in the new season.
New signings were made, and in came seasoned campaigners Geoffrey Soro and Michael Makiadi, and a new kid on the block, Peter Cheng.
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18:44 - 02.06.2023
BASKETBALL National Basketball League top performers from the first round
Peter Cheng is the division's leading scorer, having scored 214 points in total. He averaged 19.5 points per game as the Blazers ended the round with an 8-3 record and in third place.
And if the first-round performance is anything to go by, then the Blazers do not have much to worry about.
An 8-3 record has last season’s runners-up in third place on the 12-team log.
Only City Oilers (11-0) and KIU Titans (9-2) have better records in the division.
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07:48 - 08.06.2023
BASKETBALL Nam Blazers, City Oilers to tip off National Basketball League second round
The first-round report card has City Oilers on an 11-0 run and top of the table with 22 points.
“First round, as it’s been the norm in the league, teams are trying to figure it out,” Nyeko told Pulse Sports.
“As for Blazers, it’s been a developmental first round with lots to learn and the team to gel, given the exodus of players we had,” he added.
From last season’s roster, Syrus Kiviiri, Chris Omanye, Paul Odongo, Richard Ongom and Chol Nyuot are the pieces that stayed with the team.
Kiviiri was in and out of the team due to injuries, while Omanye joined the rest later following an attack on him by thugs before the start of the season.
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06:20 - 06.06.2023
BASKETBALL Mandy Juruni expects a better City Oilers in the second round
Whereas the champions cruised in most of the games, the tactician believes some players are still struggling to find their footing in the season, something that must be addressed going into the business end of the season.
Odongo also had to miss some games in the first round through suspension after lashing out at referees and calling them ‘crap and rusty’.
But led by Makiadi, Soro and Cheng, the Blazers gave a good account of themselves to clear any doubts the fans might have carried into the new season.
“The ability to display teamwork, play through adversity and also stabilize after our three losses,” Nyeko said od the things that impressed him the most about his new crop of players.
“They are quite an interesting group. Practice is also lively and competitive.”
Going into the second round, the Blazers will hope to replicate the first-round performance or even do better to get a good seeding for the playoffs.
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17:57 - 29.05.2023
BASKETBALL Dominant Displays: Top players leave their mark in the final week of the National Basketball League first round
The National Basketball League's last weekend of the first round witnessed outstanding performances from some of the league's brightest stars. Players like Ruai Luak from the City Oilers, Maluel Dier representing Our Savior, Joseph Kumbai of the Ndejje Angels, Titus Lual from the City Oilers, and Saidi Amisi of the KIU Titans showcased their skills.
“What I can commit to is a continuous improvement as the games come by and move through the second round,” Nyeko, coaching in the top-flight for the second season, said.
And with the transfer window still open, the Blazers will look to add a few more players for the business end of the season.
“We are looking to expand our squad and make the most out of the transfer window.”
The Blazers will tip off their second-round action against defending champions City Oilers next Friday night.
Mandy Juruni’s charges escaped a second-half scare to scrap past the Blazers 57-51 in the first round, and this will be the chance for Nyeko and his troops to split the regular season meetings.
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