18 November 2012

UGANDA : UCU one game away from first Fuba final

Guard Sudi (airborne) was too hot to handle for Warriors on Friday.
Guard Sudi (airborne) was too hot to handle for Warriors on Friday. Photo by Ismail Kezaala
By Ismail Dhakaba Kigongo

Posted Sunday, November 18 2012 at 02:00
In Summary
As fans chanted “UCU UCU,” they believed their team had finally arrived. Not yet. Hang on, this ride always takes more than one decisive turn.

The chances to reach a maiden Fuba League final just won’t stop coming UCU Canons’ way. Today is yet another one. All they need to do is win a close-out game for the first time. The odds will be stacked against them as they have fluffed four previous chances.
However, with Sudi Ulanga in the form he has been this postseason, Warriors will be wary. The tide could be tilting. UCU lead the 2009 champions 2-1 after Friday’s 72-64 victory at the Lugogo MTN Arena. Game Four of the best-of-five semifinals is today at the same venue.
Sudi is proving to be arguably the best closer in this division. Ulanga scored six of his game-high 23 points in the final six minutes to enable UCU outscore Warriors 23-13 in the fourth quarter.
His ability to decide close games is now embedded in his DNA.
Centre Desmond Owili is also proving to be capable side-kick, pouring 20 points and seven rebounds.
The university side’s choking history hangs over their heads. They have failed to win a close-out game of a series on all three previous occasions.
However, they also did survive an elimination game two years ago against Warriors. Most memories won’t stretch that far. The pain of last year is still too fresh.
UCU held a similar series lead only to collapse to a 105-95 double overtime loss and hand Warriors a lifeline they took gladly to book a third successive final date.
“The pressure will be the same (like last year). We have to win, there is no two ways about it,” coach Mandy Juruni, almost sounding desperate, said.
Making it four finals in four years will require a forensic review of Game Three. Former MVP Ronnie Kasewu scored 12 points and seven rebounds. That was a team-high.
Norman Blick had 10. There weren’t any skirmishes. Both teams have moved on from Game Two where  helmets should have been written in the manual as a must.
As fans chanted “UCU UCU UCU,” they believed their team had finally arrived. Not just yet. Hang on, this ride always takes more than one decisive turn. Elsewhere, UCU Lady Canons moved closer to another title, reaching the final with a 54-52 win over A1 Challenge to clinch their series 3-0.

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