Basketball in Africa

Getting into the semifinals of the Fuba League playoffs without much strain is everything Warriors and UCU Lady Canons will be playing for at the Lugogo MTN Arena today.

Both giants hold 1-0 leads in the best-of-three quarterfinals ahead of Game Two. Warriors and UCU are in position to wrap up their respective series against Victoria University Heaters and Nabisunsa.

The top seeds in the corresponding men’s and women’s divisions have built the platform by easily taking the opener against the teams that finished seventh in the regular season.

Coach Mandy Juruni’s side easily beat Heaters 79-53 last Sunday. A day earlier, two-time defending champions UCU routed Nabisunsa 94-34 for the biggest winning margin across the four divisions so far.

Juruni has used the opportunity to rest Ronnie Kasewu, the 2009 the MVP. His contribution was limited to less than 23 minutes as fringe players got time on the floor.

Among those was veteran Steven Okias though he never troubled the scoreboard in 18 minutes. “I am loving Okias’ focus and commitment right now,” Juruni said.