12 November 2013
UGANDA : Omony bundles UCU out as Falcons advance
Omony (right) showed why he is rated among the best of all time. Photo by Ismail Kezaala.
By Ismail Dhakaba KigongoQuarter finalsUCU 76-82 Falcons
(Falcons win series 2-1)
Rhino 75-88 Power
(Power win series 2-0)
(Falcons win series 2-1)
Rhino 75-88 Power
(Power win series 2-0)
Semi-final Games:
Men:
Power vs City Oilers
Warriors vs Falcons
Women:
UCU vs A1
KCCA vs Stormers
Men:
Power vs City Oilers
Warriors vs Falcons
Women:
UCU vs A1
KCCA vs Stormers
Stephen Omony’s wrist is still bothering him. He can hardly convert shots he could make with one eye shut.
Time and again during the Castle Lite playoff quarterfinal series between his Falcons and UCU Canons, Omony has played like someone worried about his wrist. “It’s more important that the team does the right things,” Omony said following Falcons’ 88-77 overtime victory in Game One when he managed 15 points, all in the second half.
It then got worse before getting better as he managed only eight in Game Two with UCU routing Falcons 83-63. A charged Omony was bound to appear at some point.
He chose the right moment, the decisive Game Three on Sunday at the Lugogo MTN Arena – scoring a game-high 29 points as Falcons won 82-76.
The record champions, also losing finalists last year to Riham Warriors, won the series 2-1 to book a rematch with the champions in the five-game semifinals starting Friday. “He needed to go back to his former strength,” his coach Gad Eteu said. Omony, one of the greats of the Ugandan game, is almost unplayable in the paint.
“Don’t settle for funny jump shots.” That was the message.
Impeccable Omony
“I think we had to do everything to win and that’s what I was doing,” Omony, also contributing 16 rebounds, nine of them offensive, said, opting not to take all the glory alone. UCU just couldn’t live with him after he chose not to shoot the ball but rather attack the key. When they fouled, he made 9 of 13 from the foul line to standout in a see-saw.
“I think we had to do everything to win and that’s what I was doing,” Omony, also contributing 16 rebounds, nine of them offensive, said, opting not to take all the glory alone. UCU just couldn’t live with him after he chose not to shoot the ball but rather attack the key. When they fouled, he made 9 of 13 from the foul line to standout in a see-saw.
He had set the tone from the onset and the support of centre Philip Ameny, 15 points, including 3 for 7 from downtown, was handy for the seventh seed.
Geoff Omondi added 14 and seven rebounds and reserve Steven Mwesigye 12, perfecting all his four free throws, with Falcons’ experience telling.
Second seeded UCU was the last university team standing but even having four players in double figures wasn’t enough for coach Nicholas Natuhereza’s side.
Desmond Owili made 18, Syrus Kiviri 16, Sudi Ulanga was restricted to 15 and Boniface Okello scored 11 and nine rebounds off the bench. “It’s been a good season and we should go work hard and comeback better prepared next year,” Natuhereza said.
First Sande Okot failed to get the ball in. Then, another inbound went straight to Mwesigye when they led 68-67 with two minutes to play. Falcons finished them off here.
# posted by afrbk : 15:18
