Charles Mutebi
10 November 2008
Kampala — GAME 1 of the men's top division semi-finals between the Kyambogo Warriors and Mogas Falcons will be the centre of attraction when the 2008 MTN-FUBA Playoffs tip off this afternoon at Lugogo.
The two basketball teams contested last year's thrilling best of five finals, which the Falcons won after losing the first two games. Their reunion today for the best of three semi-final series will capture most people's imagination.
The defending champions will be determined to retain their crown while the Warriors will, besides the hunt for a maiden title, have revenge heavy in their pursuit.
"We are definitely ready for the Falcons," said Warriors star forward Steven Okias before adding a crucial caveat, "the playoffs are very different from the league and if we lose to the Falcons it won't matter how well we have played in this season, this is the time you have to make it count."
Okias' message is very simple; the fact that his team comfortably won the regular season, beating the Falcons twice in the process, does not mean they are a sure bet for victory. Clearly, Okias does not have a short memory.
"Last season (in the finals) we thought we had taken the title after winning the first two games but we know that the job is not done until it's done," he confessed.
Falcons captain Eric Malinga said both teams go into today's contest with some advantage. "I would like to go into the game with an edge over them and you consider that we beat them last year you could say we have an advantage," he said.
"But they also have a slight advantage over us because they now know what it takes to beat us and already beat us twice in the regular season," In short, that leaves the fixture delicately poised or as Malinga himself put it "both teams have a 50, 50 chance."
All the games will be played under the 24 second-clock-rule which limits the time available to score.
The rule, which dramatically curbs time-wasting, has not been previously applied in Uganda due to technological constraints.
Forward Steven Okias will lead Warriors attack today
MTN-FUBA Playoffs
Today Lugogo
Men
8pm
Warriors v Falcons
5pm
Div2: Ndejje v Veg.
3.30pm
Div3: L.stone v Sharing
Women
Leopards v A1 (6.30pm)
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