Basketball in Africa

One-off play-offs
Today at Lugogo
Falconsv UCU (6pm)
Women:
KIU v KCC (4pm)
Div II:
MBC v Gulu (2pm)

Eight teams that are still reeling from the disappointment and despair of missing out on the MTN-Fuba League play-offs final have an opening to right a few wrongs today. The usually inconsequential one-off third and fourth place play-offs are set for the MTN Arena Lugogo with the biggest attraction being Mountain Dew Falcons and UCU Canons in the men’s division one.

It’s a common among fans and pundits that the absent Falcons duo of Richard Osano Omondi and Sudi Ulanga are sorely missed in the best-of-seven finals that started last evening but this is part of a long healing process.

The duo were the light in shining armour as their side lost 3-1 in the semis to DMark Power and this is no means sufficient consolation. However, playing without any nerves could make this a repeat of the All –Star weekend with the UCU’s Enabu brothers, Ivan and Jimmy, too in the spotlight.
UCU formidable
On the other hand, the university team are no longer underdogs having taken the second round contest when the two sides met earlier this season. “At the start of the season, our target was to get to the play-offs (for the first time since 2007) which we achieved. We are satisfied with what came our way but can do more,” Nick Natuhereza, the UCU coach, said after losing to Kyambogo Warriors 3-2 in the semis.

It’s hard to gauge the amount of interest six-time Falcons have in this game having lost to Warriors in the semis last season and barely looking competitive against KIU Titans in the superseding third place game.

Meanwhile, KIU Rangers cannot be lacking in motivation when they face dethroned women’s champions KCC Leopards. The former made the play-offs as fourth seed and in the process won their first post-season ever against UCU Lady Canons despite losing the semifinal series 3-1. MBC Rocks clash with Gulu Hawks in division two whereas Crane High and Kings set the hoops alight in division three. Yesterday evening, Power were due to face Warriors.