First ever final calls for UCU

KAMPALA.

UCU Canons have one unpalatable record – failing to convert any of their six Fuba League semifinal appearances into a maiden final appearance.

In there lies a huge detail. The university side have never been able to close out a series while leading. First, in their debut season, UCU lost 2-1 to Falcons after winning Game One.

The same happened a year later against Tiger Head Power in another three-game series. Warriors survived elimination in 2012, after trailing 1-2 in the semis, to win 3-2 in five.

Last year was a climax in a collapse that mirrored spaghetti in hot water. UCU led 2-0 against City Oilers and earned three chances to clinch the series only to lose 3-2.

They are in a familiar situation – when they always choke. UCU lead KIU Titans 2-1 following Wednesday’s 104-92 overtime victory at YMCA court in the Pepsi League playoffs.

The series resumes this evening with Game Four at the same venue. One victory is all coach Nicholas Natuhereza, aware of the “pathetic record”, needs to reach the final. And it will depend on “how we handle ourselves” after ‘allowing’ Chris Omanye to drive and layup at the basket with 22 seconds of regulation to tie Game Three at 85-up.

Then, UCU steamrolled overtime despite losing big men Desmond Owili and Ivan Lumanyika to foul trouble as seven canons chalked up double figures.

Lumanyika led them with 15 points and 10 rebounds in what is proving to be a signature series while Brian Namake and Steven Wundi matched his points’ tally.

Guard Innocent Oduor scored 14, Jonathan Egau and Owili had 13 apiece, and Fadhil Chuma fetched 11. KIU’s Geoffrey Soro had a game-high 20 points.

His support came from Francis Sokoroza and Omanye finishing on 16 as Henry Malinga and Norman Blick managed 11, the latter fouling out, as did Soro.

Knowing they almost choked, Natuhereza knows his counterpart Hamza Nyambogo will try to counter that depth. “We need to want to advance more than they want,” Natuhereza warned.
“We can’t afford to let them decide the game for us.”

Fuba playoffs
RESULTS
MEN
UCU 104-92 KIU
WOMEN
UCU 52-45 A1
(Both UCU sides lead series 2-1)

TODAY AT YMCA
MEN
KIU vs UCU, 8.30pm
WOMEN
A1 vs UCU, 6.30pm

UCU IN CLOSE-OUT GAMES
2007: Led 1-0 but lost 2-1 to Falcons in semis
2008: Led 1-0, only to lose 2-1 to Power in semis
2012: Led 2-1, then lost 3-2 to Warriors in semis
2014: Led 2-0, before Oilers won semifinal series 3-2