Orkeswa see moon as NBL rages on
CATHERINE Loishiye steered the youthful Orkeswa team to their first National Basketball League (NBL) victory, defeating City Queens 61-45 at Benjamin Mkapa Indoor Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
Loishiye who was the match-best player scored 18 points, caught 17 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 blocks to help her team claim the first victory in the women’s category.
Still the Arusha team’s victory joy did not last long as went on to suffer a 70-48 loss to Vijana Queens at their third match on Thursday.
Orkeswa have now bagged 4 points and jumped to 4th place in the field of the 8 women’s teams.
Orkeswa’s coach Raymond Ngenzi told the ‘Daily News’ on Thursday they delighted with the performance of his youthful team.
“We field the youngest team in this event, and at their level, they do fine, our focus as always is to rediscover talents and invest for future national teams.
Whatever we get into the tournament is a learning process,” added Ngenzi.
Vijana Queens added the victory after the Wednesday’s 76-31 win over Jeshi Stars and helped them to stay at the top of the table with 6 points from three matches.
Jeshi Stars who have collected 5 points are placed second on the table.
In another Wednesday lady’s battle, Dodoma BD Pantelini lost 48-42 to Bandari Tanga as Juliana Robert starred with 10 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 blocks.
In the men’s category , Pazi extended their group B lead with an impressive 112-48 over Tarangire Warriors.
Pazi, the group B leaders, have 6 points unbeaten in three matches while the defeat places winless Tarangire at the bottom of the group.
In Thursday’s group C battle, Wakuda recorded their first win after beating Lake Side 87- 56.
The Wednesday fixture saw Baraka Sadik netting 21 points 9 rebounds, 4 assists and a block.
ABC who enjoyed an 81-66 victory over Bandari Tanga, are leading group A table with 6 points.
The Wednesday fixture saw Isaya Aswile hitting 12 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 assists as DB Panthers defeated Home Boys 93-43 as Mwembeni beat Lake Side 63-52 in the match that Rugina Raban scored 32 points, 12 rebounds and 2 assists.
The league that brought together 20 teams, 12 men and 8 women’s sides, winds up this Sunday.
