Basketball in Africa

Today at YMCA
UCUv Power (9.30pm)
Nkumbav St. Michael (7.30pm)
Women:
KCC v Mak Cubs (5.30pm)


Nothing more than bragging rights and gaining the psychological edge is at stake when UCU Canons and DMark Power clash this evening in a re-scheduled MTN-Fuba League game at YMCA court, Wandegeya.

Menacing offense and sometimes ruthless defence ensured both sides’ slots in the play-offs and today’s encounter could pass as a near-formality to decide who finishes the regular season as the top seed.

On the face of it, it doesn’t matter what position you get into the play-offs as regular season reputations will hardly count when the decisive knockout phase starts next Friday.

Coming off a tame 60-63 loss to KIU, UCU may have the bigger statement to make as they bid to complete a season double over Power. “That was probably the worst I have seen us play this season. Hopefully, it won’t happen again,” Nick Natuhereza, the UCU coach, said.

Luckily for him, it’s also an opportunity to choose who they want to play in the semi-finals with Mountain Dew Falcons set to finish third whereas Kyambogo Warriors are fourth.

According to the seeding, it’s first against fourth and second facing third though Ivan Enabu, the UCU captain, downplayed any insinuations of a syndicate. “In any syndicate, both teams come out as losers so we must play to win and be ready for anyone (in the semis),” Enabu said.

For Power, arguably the best team thus far, it’s just another chance to warn potential title contenders as they recover from last season’s final loss to Warriors. “It’s been a good season. Now that we can finish top, we have to go and do it,” Power’s Isaac Afidra noted as he rallied his teammates to earn revenge.
Point guard Ben Komaketch, MVP two years ago, needs to bury his recent uneventful performances if coach Bernice Nkunda’s team is to reclaim the title.