Basketball in Africa

By Charles Mutebi

FUBA League
Men’s div 1: Power v UCU
Women: Leopards v Cubs

BOTH teams say they are not after getting the number one seed for the forthcoming playoffs.

But at the same time both Power and the UCU Canons are promising to leave no stone unturned when they meet today at YCMA in a game that will ultimately determine who goes into the FUBA men’s top-flight playoffs as the top seed.

“It is not a big deal,” UCU guard Ivan Enabu and Power forward Isaac Afidra responded when asked about the importance of finishing the regular season in first place.

Today’s victors will face the Kyambogo Warriors in one playoff semi-final with the loser battling the Falcons in other.

Neither the Falcons nor the Warriors, who are defending champions, will be pushovers, which is why neither Power nor UCU are laying much emphasis on being the playoff first seed.

Consequently, both are aiming to use today for some high-level shooting practice ahead of the high-level competition that the post-season will bring.

“We want to win this game mainly because it is the kind of game we are going to play in the playoffs,” explained the skilful Enabu, who is nursing a swollen knee that he plans to play through till the end of the season. UCU beat Power 91-87 in their first leg encounter six month ago, a result that was somewhat of a shock at the time. This time, there can be no such reaction, whatever the outcome.