Today at YMCA
Warriors v Power (8pm)
Women:
A1 v UCU (6pm)
(Power and UCU lead series 3-0)
Just like two years ago, DMark Power and UCU Lady Canons will come to YMCA Court Wandegeya this evening with a sense of de javu. Both teams, champions in 2008, lead their respective MTN-Fuba League best-of-seven finals against Kyambogo Warriors and A1 Challenge 3-0. This implies that they are 40 minutes away from reclaiming their crowns to complete a remarkable clean sweep in what has been an anti-climax to the season so far.
Guard Ronnie Kasewu has not been as influential in scoring throughout the season just months after leading Warriors to their first championship and clinching the MVP title but believes in miracles. “Mentally, we are keeping our heads up after forcing double overtime (in game three which Warriors lost 116-108),” an optimistic Kasewu told Daily Monitor.
Adding; “There’s history in the making here if we win and then have seven games.” Many cannot agree with him as his team has squandered 17-point leads in each of the past two defeats. Foul trouble too is becoming a norm for big men Henry Malinga and Michael Kariuki.
Abdullahi Ramadhan has carried the cross on his own at times. But more importantly, Power’s depth has kept the two finalists apart. On Sunday night, Ben Komakech’s three-pointer to force overtime was only testament of the options at hand.
Emmanuel Enabu (13 points) and a rejuvenated Joseph Ikong (29) took over thereafter following his return from the US to aid Isaac Afidra’s consistency that easily makes a contender for MVP. “There’s nothing that can stop us from sweeping them,” Ikong asserted prior to game three with Power closing in on revenge for last year’s 4-1 finals defeat. He sounds more truthful now than ever before.
UCU sure
Unlike Power, UCU’s Maureen Amoding has already popped the champagne. “I think we have won the championship,” Amoding noted despite contributing only six points three days ago.
It’s the aura of invincibility brought in Anastasia Njeri, Brenda Mboine and Lorriane Akinyi that gives her the zeal to say so. “Hard work and lots of determination has got us this far. The feeling of losing last year (in the semifinals) has also been a big motivating factor. Our big men and speed makes us a bit different from the rest,” she added.