KCCA Leopards Vs UCU Lady Canons 6:30pm (Series tied 3-all)
In the middle of the opening week of the month, the Pepsi National Basketball League playoffs finals begun. The KCCA Leopards and UCU Lady Canons, for a fourth year running started things off.
KCCA Leopards – considered the team to beat all season got off the blocks first escaping with a 62-60 edge of the defending champions behind Claire Lamunu, Rebecca Akulo and Flavia Oketcho’s 18,17 and 15 points respectively.
After dropping the opening game of the series, the UCU Lady Canons regrouped to sweep the next three encounters and seemed to be destined for a 4-1 going into Game 5 last Friday.
KCCA’s star players, Claire Lamunu and former MVPs Flavia Oketcho and Rebecca Akulo said no to that. Lamunu who is averaging a series high 20 points and 8 rebounds scored 17 points in Game 5 and 23 in Game 6 as the Leopards forced a championship game that is on tonight at YMCA.
Outlook:
The Lady Canons have got quite a presence inside in Vilma Achieng and Purity Odhiambo. Achieng is averaging 11.8 points and 8 rebounds while Odhiambo is putting up 14.3 points 10.3 and will be the hogs of UCU’s set up along with Moreen Amoding on the wing, Judith Nansobya at two and Brenda Mbone at the point. Boniface Okello’s set up may extend only as afar as Peace Nakirijja, Lorein Akinyi and Francis Nabulobi as he rely on production from his first five.
Timothy Odeke will put two players on court not necessarily for their offensive contribution but their efforts on the defensive end. Monica Siima and Muhayimina Namuwaya will join Falvia Oketcho, Rebecca Akullo and Claire Lamunu in the KCCA Leopards’ initial set up.
Keys to the game:
While the Lady Canons have got a superior interior, the keys to the game is with the back court. If Brenda Mbone, Judith Nansobya and Maureen Amoding can get the ball to their bigs then Muhayimina Namuwaya, Jackie Basemera and Claire Lamunu have got some work on their hands.
Secondly, the Lady Canons can score in transition. Nansobya and Amoding can do that and have been UCU’s outlets in quick transition basketball and the pair is the university side’s go to on 3-point plays.
For the KCCA Leopards, its all on three individuals offensively. Claire Lamunu has to be given more touches on the ball near the basket. While Oketcho has been average in the series reaching double digits just twice in the six games, the Leopards have won both games and they will need the point guard to score.
The Leopards will need Muhayimina Namuwaya to play a clean defense. The center has been averaging 8.5 points and 8 rebounds.
The game should excite right from tip-off given that it is a winner takes it all.