All eyes on women’s basketball semifinal playoffs

Now that the men’s National Basketball League (NBL) finals are slated to tip off next Tuesday, October 7, between the Namuwongo Blazers and the ten-time defending champions, City Oilers, all eyes are now on the Women’s semi-final playoffs.

Uganda Christian University (UCU) Lady Canons clash with the defending champions, JKL Lady Dolphins, right after the Magic Stormers have faced the JT Lady Jaguars. Both games are at the YMCA in Wandegeya.

By and large, the Stormers are the ranked outsiders in this equation, having finished seventh in the regular season. In fact, few would give them a chance against the Jaguars in a best-of-five series. However, the other semi-final is, in the eyes of many, viewed as what should have been the actual final.

It is expected to be a feisty affair, although earlier in the season, UCU were scarcely expected to be a real championship contender. In the first round, UCU could hardly beat any team considered one of the title favourites. They lost to the Jaguars even when they had led for much of the game until the last minute.

It suggested a lack of mettle in them, something they still showed in the losses to the Dolphins and KCCA Leopards. Yet, even the ones they won, it was done with gritted teeth. Truly, UCU just did not look the part. But it was not without reason.

The season before, after losing the final 2-4 to the Dolphins, when they led the best-of-seven series 2-0 at one time, UCU lost a host of its star players, who included Shakira Nanvubya, Aziida Nabayunga and Tracy Namugosa, among others.

Essentially, they were at a rebuilding point. Yet, what was so surprising was the second round display. It was a total turnaround, with a big lift in spirit and application that the players, as their coach Nick Natuhereza, have got to be given credit for.

During the time of their struggles, Sylvia Nantongo said without flinching that their target was to win the title this year. It was tough at the time to take her seriously.

But she made was interesting comment: “The league is a marathon. As we continue to train together, we will definitely get better.”

And better UCU have become, and clearly expected to give the Dolphins a real run for their money. In the second round, apart from the shocking defeat to the KIU Rangers, UCU beat KCCA, Dolphins and the Jaguars.

That should give them a psychological edge coming into the semis. One thing that has looked good for UCU is Martina Anyango and Nantongo at the post. They are arguably the most effective post players in the women’s division and are quite athletic.

Add the shooting of Hajara Najjuuko, the tenacity of Sylvia Nakituuka, plus the improvement in ball handling by Shilla Lamunu, and therein is a solid team. But even with that, coming up against the women’s MVP Hope Akello, Brenda Ekon, Zainah Lokwamweri, and the smooth handles of Evelyn Nakiyingi, the Dolphins boast of experience, according to the KCCA coach, Roger Serunyigo.