Malinga and Warriors level series against Power
Dec 16, 2011
Basketball is not for the faint hearted. Whether you are a player, coach, fan or referee, you have to get familiar with the variations that come with the hoops game to the extent that no matter what happens against your expectations, life has to go on.
By Usher Komugisha
FUBA basketball playoffs
Game 7: (Friday at 7:30pm)
Game 6: Power 84 Warriors 90
Game 5: Warriors 70 Power 77
Game 4: Power 78 Warriors 77
Game 3: Warriors 55 Power 85
Game 2: Power 61 Warriors 80
Game 1: Warriors 88 Power 73
Basketball is not for the faint hearted. Whether you are a player, coach, fan or referee, you have to get familiar with the variations that come with the hoops game to the extent that no matter what happens against your expectations, life has to go on.
Such is the lesson that either D-Mark Power or Kyambogo Warriors have learnt this post season.
Forcing a Game 7, the Warriors leveled the best-of-seven series at 3-3 on Wednesday night to renew their championship bid against the reigning league champions Power in the FUBA basketball league.
That the Warriors defeated Power twice in regular season and dominated the first two games of the series would be quite obvious that they would have wrapped this up in the first four games.
But knowing that the defending champions cannot be bullied with the likes of reigning MVP Ben Komakech and team captain Isaac Afidra, one would reserve their say on a clean sweep.
“We just came out to do the right thing tonight because we knew this was the only chance we had to maintain our title hopes,” pointed out Ivan Enabu, Warriors’ number one point guard.
Coming off the bench because of a groin injury sustained in Game 5, the 27 year old Ivan ran at the Power defense to drop eight points but most notably he organized his teammates to bring composure into this game.
Veteran and two time league MVP Henry Malinga sunk a team high 25 points and picked 10 rebounds for Warriors to register a double double and inspire his side to victory to remind every ardent fan of his Falcons’ days.
Malinga dominated the paint with the highest percentage of Warriors’ over 20 put-back baskets on the night that really punished the Power defense which was way too reserved on the rebounds.
“We failed to execute tonight (Wednesday) and that is what happens when we do not follow the game plan. If one realizes, for the three games that we won, we really outrebounded Warriors and this time they outrebounded us and that is why they won this game,” explained Barnes Ankunda, the Power head coach.
Power’s impressive point guard Komakech dropped a game high 28 points, eight rebounds and three steals but that was not enough to help his side seal the championship.
Power’s Captain Isaac Afidra added 10 points and 11 rebounds as Isaac Lugudde and Michael Kojo added 13 and 11 points respectively. The Kyambogo side had three other players in double digits as Stephen Okias, Brian Gumisiriza and Michael Kariuki scored 17, 15 and 12 points respectively to stir the Warriors.
Four of Okias’ points were easy lay-ups punishing Power for setting up an inbound-press defensive play in the last two minutes of the last quarter that exposed them leaving a forward to score alone.
For now the trophy has been returned to the basketball body’s offices after a great display on Wednesday night as the light shone upon it.