26 November 2010
UGANDA : Power and Warriors face off in playoffs
By Charles Mutebi and Usher Komugisha
FUBA Playoff finals
Today at Lugogo
Women: UCU v A1 (6pm)
Men: Power v Warriors (8pm)
THE Kyambogo Warriors were weaker than Power during the regular season. But when the reigning men’s champions meet the 2010 regular-season champions in Game 1 of the best-of-seven playoff finals, many will feel there is no clear favourite.
Power have been in form all year but the Warriors have showed great firmness in surviving a challenging season. Power have shown the skills but the Warriors have shown the steel.
But whatever the two relied upon to get to the finals, the most important fact is they are there. Yet there is no guarantee that what worked before and in the lead to the finals will still work.
“You have to approach the finals differently,” said Warriors coach Gad Eteu. “The desire is different because it is where you wanted to be all season. It is about how much you want it because you don’t have much room for error at this level.”
Power star Isaac Afidra agrees.
“There is no game that is the same as a regular-season game but considering you are playing a series you have to wait for Game 1 and see what your opponents got for you.”
On the issue of favourites, Eteu and Afidra had slightly contrasting takes. Eteu said: “I don’t know if there is a favourite in this series although Power have been more consistent playing better than us.”
Afidra is more exact. “They are the favourites,” he said. “You can’t say you are the favourites against the defending champions.”
In the women’s finals, both the UCU Canons and A1 Challenge will be searching for their second championship. A1 have been in the finals for the last five years but haven’t won it since 2005. The Canons won it on their maiden final appearance two seasons ago.
FUBA Playoff finals
Today at Lugogo
Women: UCU v A1 (6pm)
Men: Power v Warriors (8pm)
THE Kyambogo Warriors were weaker than Power during the regular season. But when the reigning men’s champions meet the 2010 regular-season champions in Game 1 of the best-of-seven playoff finals, many will feel there is no clear favourite.
Power have been in form all year but the Warriors have showed great firmness in surviving a challenging season. Power have shown the skills but the Warriors have shown the steel.
But whatever the two relied upon to get to the finals, the most important fact is they are there. Yet there is no guarantee that what worked before and in the lead to the finals will still work.
“You have to approach the finals differently,” said Warriors coach Gad Eteu. “The desire is different because it is where you wanted to be all season. It is about how much you want it because you don’t have much room for error at this level.”
Power star Isaac Afidra agrees.
“There is no game that is the same as a regular-season game but considering you are playing a series you have to wait for Game 1 and see what your opponents got for you.”
On the issue of favourites, Eteu and Afidra had slightly contrasting takes. Eteu said: “I don’t know if there is a favourite in this series although Power have been more consistent playing better than us.”
Afidra is more exact. “They are the favourites,” he said. “You can’t say you are the favourites against the defending champions.”
In the women’s finals, both the UCU Canons and A1 Challenge will be searching for their second championship. A1 have been in the finals for the last five years but haven’t won it since 2005. The Canons won it on their maiden final appearance two seasons ago.
# posted by afrbk : 12:36
