UCU LADY CANONS : 64
A1 CHALLENGE : 46
If Game One is anything to go by then lots of personalities have to pull up their socks. With Akinyi Lorraine and Maureen Amoding hitting the headlines for all the right reasons in as far as consistency and game form is concerned, the A1 defense had to quickly tame that problem.
Having done that, there arose another issue of athleticism which was to prove crucial in a game of this magnitude. A1 Challenge was outrun in a Game where they were to play a man-to-man defense and it cost them. With the UCU Ladies offense so swift that they worked their transition smartly that it hurt the A1 defense eventually.
A1 Challenge looked fatigued which could be explained in the fact that they had to decisive Game V in the semis against KCC Leopards to qualify as opposed to Lady Canons who had by then already qualified beating KIU Rangers convincingly 3-1 in the semis to make it through to the finals.
In a Game that saw a huge turn-over rate, one would think that both camps should be working a way to minimize that issue. A1 Challenge, however, I could say need to devise a way to work on gelling as a unit offensively and defensively. Because when they click as a unit, I can guarantee you damage on the opposition.
Someone once said that failure is a part of success. All am saying is that sometimes one has to fall down to rise up again. Having been in this position against KCC Leopards, A1 Challenge managed to pick themselves up and fight their way into the Play-off Championship final. This Game I loss will bring out the best in them.
If there's another lesson learn t from yesterdays' defeat, it’s that no opposition no matter how big or small should be under rated. Having marked out Akinyi Lorraine, Anastacia Njeri rose up to the occasion with a Game high 15 points. With assistance in the scoring from Maureen Amoding 14 points and Akinyi 10 points.
A1 Challenge however had no single player hitting double figures. This mean a lot of work has to be done on all departments, defensively and offensively.
If there is one thing I am sure of, it’s that the Championship is not won on Game One. It’s a best-of-seven finale and there's plenty more action coming our way. So A1 Challenge may have been bruised in as far as confidence is concerned, but having been in a similar position before, writing them off would be at your own peril.
Hatima Kassim and Mavita Ali huffed and puffed in the offense but the UCU Lady Canons defense was a little organized and they managed to neutralize them.
With Carol Mugasha and Angella Lokidi's well disciplined defensive display, UCU started a quick transitional play from defensive mode to the offense, catching A1's defense down and playing catch up most of the time.
With Olivia and Josephine being brought on later in the Game, defensively it did them good but offensively there’s yet some work to be done.
A1 Challenge have to pull up their socks immediately (offensively and defensively) and bring their Game harder in Game II so they can be on level ground in these best-of-seven series. And this goes to Bazira Liz, Sandra and Betty
With Game II on Sunday afternoon, time is not A1 Challenge's best ally. So as a unit they have to right the wrongs prior to Game II.
A1 Challenge will at the back of their minds be out seeking revenge for the 2008 playoff final loss where they gave away an 11-point lead with about seven minutes remaining in the fourth quarter to painfully hand the Lady Canons the title.
In the other category of the men, we had DMark Power face defending Champions, Kyambogo Warriors in the late kick off. DMark Power put on a well orchestrated display from start to finish beating the Warriors in Game One 93:77. Game II is on Sunday at 6pm.
Have a blessed weekend. See you all tomorrow afternoon for Game II in the best of seven series.
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