Today at YMCA
Div II: Heaters v Gulu
Div. III: Stormers v Crane (Heaters, Stormers lead series 1-0)
Tomorrow at Lugogo
Power v Falcons (6.30pm)
Women: UCU v KIU (4.30pm)
(Both series tied 1-1)
Smarts or no Smarts, Mountain Dew Falcons just won’t go down without a fight in the MTN-Fuba League play-offs. It’s part of the club’s strong fabric that has fetched them a record six championships.
And even without heralded Kenyan coach Smarts Olumbo for the best-of-five semifinal series with DMark Power so far, Falcons remain as competitive as ever. Following the 76-70 loss in game one last Sunday, Falcons took the next 85-82 three days later to rekindle some memories.
Power captain Norman Blick has seen it all this through the years and needs no reminders on what lies ahead with three games left to play. “Falcons weren’t threatened at all by our big men and they must step up,” Blick said after game two as the wound on his right palm continued to hurt the forward’s game dear. Power’s big men Robert Wanitho (8) and Robert Mubiru (2) only managed 10 points and six rebounds between them with David Kiberu not even making the floor.
Perhaps, the biggest hindrance is the form of shooting guard Joseph Ikong (8) as he labours through the post-season. This provoked Blick to call for return to the basics and tradition for which the team is known for.
“Everyone knows that we believe in quick transitional basketball. I thought we weren’t as fast as we are supposed to be,” the two-time MVP told Saturday Monitor without mincing his words.
The task now entirely falls on the shoulders of Power coach Bernice Nkunda ahead of game three at the MTN-NCS Arena Lugogo tomorrow. Elsewhere, UCU Lady Canons and KIU Rangers lock horns with either university team trying to seize control of the series.
Meanwhile, Makerere Heaters and Magic Stormers are within touching distance of the final in their respective division two and three best-of-three semifinal series against Gulu Hawks and Crane High. Both series resume this evening at YMCA Court, Wandegeya.