by Sande Bashaija
Wandegeya
Today at YMCA
Leopards v A-1 Challenge 6pm
Warriors v DMark Power 8pm
Warriors and KCC Leopards are understandably in celebratory mood.
With a 3-1 advantage and three more games left, it is less likely that DMark Power and A-1 Challenge can recover to snatch the MTN-Fuba League men and women’s titles respectively. Game Five is due tonight at YMCA Wandegeya. “We are ready to wrap up the series tomorrow (today),” KCC’s Flavia Oketcho said yesterday.
The reigning MVP missed the semi-finals but has been so instrumental in the past three games and undoubtedly holds the key if KCC are to win their second championship in three years.
“I know they (A-1 Challenge) will come out hard but we are focused,” Oketcho promised. The games between the two sides have been tightly contested but A-1 Challenge’s lack of depth has continued to hurt them.
Whereas KCC Leopards’ pedigree to win the championship was never in question, Warriors came into the seven-game final series as underdogs having lost three times to Power in the regular season. They lost the opening game of the series 72-75 but have since exhibited intensity in winning the previous three games.
“I want to handle this game like it’s the last in my life,” Warriors’ coach Gad Eteu asserted. “Since it’s a final, we can’t take chances because anything can happen.”
Power, however, won’t surrender the title without a fight. “It’s not yet over,” Power centre David Kiberu warned, “We have the potential to get back into the race.” The champions’ defence has not done them any good yet they must improve to save their trophy today.