15 November 2007
UGANDA : A1 Seeking to Revive Title Bid
By Charles Mutebi
Kampala
A1 CHALLENGE will welcome back centre Betty Namukasa and forward Rosette Meya for their crunch basketball league play-off game against KCC Leopards tomorrow.
A1 face their rivals in Game 2 of the women's contest at Lugogo.
A1 believe their two stars will provide the side with the sparkle that was missing in the previous encounter.
"Their return is a huge boost," said A1 Point guard Mavita Ali.
"We missed their presence in the first game."
The two players will be tasked with stopping the Leopards' post from repeating their Game 1 riot.
The 2005 champions cannot afford to fall behind 2 - 0 in the series as they would have to win the next three games against a team they have failed to beat in as many games.
Still, A1 is cautiously optimistic.
"We failed to beat them in the league but all we have to do is rectify our mistakes and just do our best," Mavita stated.
But there is nothing to suggest the Leopards' desire is any less.
The Leopards have won the regular season two years running but last year's finals proved that league exploits count for little in the playoffs.
The Leopards had finished the season unbeaten and they were fancied to take a stroll to the championship but the Lady Bucks had other ideas.
The Leopards ousted A1 2 -1 in last year's semifinals and will be hoping they extend the winning record against their rivals.
Not that A1 can expect any favours.
"We know it's not over so we are not resting just yet", Leopards' Point guard Becky Akullo remarked.
The undefeated Boston Celtics matched their best start to a season for 20 years, notching a sixth straight win with a 101-86 road victory over the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday.
Paul Pierce led the way with 31 points, 11 rebounds and six assists, and was 14-for-14 from the foul line as the Celtics equalled the franchise's best start since 1987-88 in remaining the only team yet to lose this season.
Boston's best start is 14-0, set in 1957-58.
"I have a great cast around me," said Pierce, whose team acquired Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen in trades during the off-season.
"These guys are fun to be around on and off the court, I like them all."
Kampala
A1 CHALLENGE will welcome back centre Betty Namukasa and forward Rosette Meya for their crunch basketball league play-off game against KCC Leopards tomorrow.
A1 face their rivals in Game 2 of the women's contest at Lugogo.
A1 believe their two stars will provide the side with the sparkle that was missing in the previous encounter.
"Their return is a huge boost," said A1 Point guard Mavita Ali.
"We missed their presence in the first game."
The two players will be tasked with stopping the Leopards' post from repeating their Game 1 riot.
The 2005 champions cannot afford to fall behind 2 - 0 in the series as they would have to win the next three games against a team they have failed to beat in as many games.
Still, A1 is cautiously optimistic.
"We failed to beat them in the league but all we have to do is rectify our mistakes and just do our best," Mavita stated.
But there is nothing to suggest the Leopards' desire is any less.
The Leopards have won the regular season two years running but last year's finals proved that league exploits count for little in the playoffs.
The Leopards had finished the season unbeaten and they were fancied to take a stroll to the championship but the Lady Bucks had other ideas.
The Leopards ousted A1 2 -1 in last year's semifinals and will be hoping they extend the winning record against their rivals.
Not that A1 can expect any favours.
"We know it's not over so we are not resting just yet", Leopards' Point guard Becky Akullo remarked.
The undefeated Boston Celtics matched their best start to a season for 20 years, notching a sixth straight win with a 101-86 road victory over the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday.
Paul Pierce led the way with 31 points, 11 rebounds and six assists, and was 14-for-14 from the foul line as the Celtics equalled the franchise's best start since 1987-88 in remaining the only team yet to lose this season.
Boston's best start is 14-0, set in 1957-58.
"I have a great cast around me," said Pierce, whose team acquired Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen in trades during the off-season.
"These guys are fun to be around on and off the court, I like them all."
# posted by afrbk : 12:07
