Basketball in Africa

FUBA League
Men:
Warriors 96 Canons 49
(Warriors lead series 2-1)
Women: KCC 64 A1 62
(KCC lead series 2-1)

Today, Men:
Falcons v Power
(Power lead series 2-1)
Women: KIU v UCU
(UCU lead series 2-1)

RICHARD Omondi will have to shake off a fever if he is to help the Falcons avoid elimination when they take on Power in Game 4 of the FUBA playoffs semi-finals today at Lugogo.

Power lead the best-of-five series 2-1 and victory will take them to the finals for the third straight year. Bernice Nkunda’s charges have the momentum after winning Game 3 78-69 and the Falcons must put on a forceful display to level the series.

However, Omondi must be in perfect condition for that to happen. The talisman has been the best player in the playoffs, averaging a double-double every game. He sunk a game-high 26 points when the Falcons defeated Power in Game 2.

But he doesn’t see his battle with malaria as a serious challenge.

“I have been struggling with sickness but it can’t stop me from playing,” he said late Wednesday night. “I’ll be fine.”

Without him Power would almost have an easy time as they did when Omondi missed much of the two teams’ second leg regular-season match due to injury. Power won 80-61.

Meanwhile, the UCU Lady Canons are favourites to knock the KIU Rangers out in the women playoffs when the two meet for Game 4 of their semi-finals. UCU lead the series 2-1.

Mismatch at Lugogo
The Kyambogo Warriors completely embarrassed the UCU Canons with a 96-49 rout in Game 3 of their semi-finals. After the Canons scored the first basket of the match, they collapsed and the Warriors showed no mercy.

Eric Malinga and Steven Okias scored 20 apiece for Kyambogo while Ronnie Kasewu and Martin Okwako added 15 and 10 respectively.

Meanwhile, Becky Akullo sunk two points in the last 10 seconds for KCC Leopards 64-62 win over A1 Challenge in Game 3. Hatima Kassim had a game-high 20 but could not help A1 from going 2-1 behind in the series.