Warriors vs Falcons: Down to the finer details

2012 fuba final: It’s been a season awash with drama and excitement. But now, it’s down to the two teams that will compete for the championship. SCORE’s Ismail Dhakaba Kigongo is fancying Warriors to win the title in six matches

Kariuki vs Elungat
This is a matchup between the inconsistent Michael Kariuki and an out-of-sorts Peter Elungat, the Falcons captain. In their current predicament, it’s easier to tip Kariuki to dominate free throws are ignored. The Kenyan had two 10-point games during the semi-finals though still shoots nonsensical threes that coach Mandy Juruni has got to stop as he makes the team imbalanced.

Over the past two months, Elungat, usually a 10-point contributor, is labouring. The explanation, according to his coach Gad Eteu, is that he has to play a lot of defence and therefore sacrificed his offense.That cannot be an excuse to missing easy lay-ups on the transition and free throws the way Elungat has.
Advantage Warriors

Enabu vs Omondi
The two former teammates at UCU Canons will manage the ball for their respective teams. Ivan Enabu is doing it for a second season with Warriors whereas this is Omondi’s first at Falcons.

Until last Sunday when Ivan scored 19 points and three assists, his only previous contribution this season was another 19 and seven in the 73-53 first round win over Falcons. This is the matchup he loves.

Enabu, desperate for a maiden championship, is much faster than Omondi but the latter is bigger. Omondi, often slow on offense, is also the most intelligent defender Enabu will face.

Omondi was part of the UCU team that lost twice to Warriors in 2010 and 2011. “There is a chance to revenge,” he warned. He does organise the Falcons’ defence but should penetrate the paint more.
Honours even

Kiviri vs Dulah
The position Abdullahi Ramadhan vacated when he left Warriors two years ago for Falcons has found a successor in Cyrus Kiviri who joined from Ndejje University Angels.

Dulah is much older and more experienced. In terms of strengths, however, just like the Tanzanian, Kiviri banks of his drive to the hole.

Throughout the season, Kiviri has also honed his shot while Dulah was away only to return with three games to the end of the season.
It took for a Fuba executive decision to allow Dulah play.

His immediate addition was piling up the turnover column as match practice was clearly lacking. The guard is steadily improving now.
Kiviri will be a very physical proposition for Dulah to beat. His attitude too has been in the right place since playoffs and Dulah needs to step up especially on offense.
Advantage Warriors

Support cast
It helps for Warriors to have either 2009 MVP Ronnie Kasewu, a player with ability to play on the inside and outside, jostling for a position with Kiviri.

That’s the kind of depth they lacked last year. It’s obvious Kasewu will start some games. He is no longer as lethal as he used to be though contributes handsomely on defence, rebounds and giving the point guard breaks.

Steven Okias remains a scoring marvel and Juruni is learning to utilise him more now than he did during the regular season. The 7ft 1in frame of Sam Gombya will make it hard for Falcons to get to the rim.

Falcons will also need the energy of Steven Mwesigye as much Julius Lutwama on the back court as Francis Tumusiime’s minutes have been slashed. Either Ssentogo or Kateregga or both will accord Ameny some rest.
Advantage Warriors

Fitness and recovery
Top seeds Warriors and regular season runners-up Falcons possess the oldest rosters in terms of age across the four divisions of basketball.
Henry can no longer play back-to-back on a Friday then Sunday without getting into foul trouble. His brother, Eric Malinga, is less of the mid-range force with strappings on his left knee.
In fact, Warriors are fond of running out of steam in the fourth quarter.
Dulah, Omony and Omondi have been in the game forever. The latter two don’t show so many effects of playing for long.
Omony can still give over 35 minutes any day. Dulah is a special player even though he is no longer thrills as much as he did when he first played here in 2009, leading Warriors to their only title.
Honours even