by Sande Bashaija
Wandegeya
Today at YMCA
A-1 v KCC Leopards 6pm
Warriors v Power 8pm
(Power, A-1 lead series 1-0)
Going by recent results, it is tempting to predict that DMark Power are retaining the MTN-Fuba League men’s title. The champions have beaten Warriors four times this year and go into today’s game two of the final play-off series as favourites. “In game one, we didn’t play well but still managed to win,” Power technical director Peter Mubanda noted.
“That shows you that at our best Warriors can’t defeat us.” Warriors were evidently the better side in the best-of-seven series opening game last Friday but left YMCA cursing after being condemned to a 75-71 overtime defeat. That loss, before a mammoth crowd, left a bitter taste in Warriors coach Gad Eteu’s mouth although he remains confident of pushing Power to the wall in the series. “The games we have lost to them don’t matter.
That’s just history,” Eteu said, “We just want to level the series tomorrow (today).” Warriors’ dependable player Ronnie Kasewu dislocated his shoulder in the semifinals against Falcons and looked uncomfortable last Friday but is in shape for tonight’s clash. “Ronnie and Martin (Okwako) have been playing under pain but they are now okay,” Eteu explained.
Power have recalled the swift Allan Tawoda from his working commitments in Kabale and the guard should boost their defence which looked sluggish in the opener. “We actually have a chance to wrap up the series this week,” sticking to his prediction of a 4-0 clean sweep, Mubanda stated.
Beaten 68-65 by former women champions A-1 Challenge in the opener, KCC Leopards find themselves under immense pressure to level the series today.
Leopards, champions in 2007, are still without former MVP Becky Akullo. “She (Akullo) has an ankle injury and still feels lots of pain,” KCC Leopards coach Timothy Odeke revealed. “But I am sure the rest of the players will step up and we level the series.” A-1 Challenge, are too in a buoyant mood. “We enjoy playing with each other. And if you enjoy what you do, there is no doubt about winning,” A-1 Challenge senior player Maggie Nalubega said. Game three of the series is on Friday.