- UCU Canons vs Victoria Crocs (1-1) – 8 PM
UCU Canons are set to lock horns with Victoria Crocs in the National Basketball League quarterfinal playoffs decider at YMCA Court, Wandegeya on Friday.
The encounter is levelled 1-1 in the best-of-three series as the bragging rights have been shared equally among the two sides.
The crocs took the first step in the series after clinching the 61-53 victory before the Canons responded with a well-deserved 64-53 win to level the series.
In Game 1, the Crocs shocked the Canons with a well-orchestrated style of play, unlike the transitional basketball they had played throughout the regular season.
Speaking after the game, the Canons’ head coach, Nicholas Natuhereza, revealed that the team struggled with a lack of rhythm and response after spending the majority of the game in the chasing position.
“It was a tough game for us. We struggled to get any rhythm today and couldn’t get any flow on offence and I think they had a bit more energy than we had in the second half, which we did not respond to,” the gaffer noted.
“Going ahead, we have to motivate ourselves and bounce into the game. We shall approach the rest of the games as underdogs and hope that by that time, everyone will have come to the party. Hopefully, we respond as we have done before,” he added.
In game one, Jimmy Otim scored 24 points but was not able to complete the game after suffering an injury but in his absence, Flore Dushime stepped up to the party with 20 points.
On the other hand, Roger Sserunyigo hopes that guard Mark Ngobi and forward Choul Nyuot turn up to the party as they take the fight to the Canons.
The winner of the decider will take on the defending champions and top-seeded Namuwongo Blazers.
