by Sande Bashaija
Wandegeya
Today at YMCA
KIU v UCU Canons 5:30pm
Lady Canons v Leopards 7pm
Power v Warriors 8:30pm
Wednesday results
Riders 88-84 Miracle Eagles
Vegetarian 7-93 St Michael
Women
KCC Leopards 107- 48 Bucks
Nabisunsa 46-42 Sparks
Much of the off-court talk this season has been centered on who is better between DMark Power and Kyambogo Warriors.
Fans have gone as far as betting money on who will win the title when the MTN-Fuba League season comes to a climax in December. Yet, the first round clash that ended 90-88 in favour of Power didn’t help matters – it proved little in as far as the teams’ strength is concerned.
Warriors, who took an early control of that game, complained that the lengthy halftime music break affected their rhythm. Today, all that talk will be laid to rest. Power and Warriors clash in a highly-anticipated game at YMCA Wandegeya, to decide who wins the regular season championship.
“I don’t think they have a chance against us,” DMark Power centre player David Kiberu noted. “They just can’t beat us.” Prior to this season, Warriors were famed for chocking on the big stage, but they shed off the tag by emerging Uganda’s best performers in the Africa Zone 5 Sprite Championship held August in Kampala.
They finished second to Kenya Cooperative Bank after a 47-53 loss in the final. Power were by far pretenders in that tournament but still managed to defeat Warriors 98-96 in the group stage.
It’s this kind of jinx that Warriors will be trying to overcome in tonight’s game. Both teams have one loss courtesy of the rejuvenated Kampala International University (KIU) and victory could put either side in line to face their conquerors in the semi-finals.
Finishing second may be unwelcome as it would ensure a semi-final clash with record champions Falcons, who have secured third place.
Meanwhile, after seven straight wins, KIU could put one foot in the play-offs with victory against the troubled UCU Canons in the day’s first game. After Miracle Eagles suffered an 84-88 shock loss to Knight Riders on Wednesday night, KIU and Nkumba Marines remain favourites to land the only remaining play-offs slot.