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

Warriors vs Falcons: Down to the finer details

The warning signs were there for DMark Power and Warriors, the finalists for each of the past three years, all season.

Only the latter responded positively as the stakes were raised by Falcons, KIU Titans and UCU Canons. Power, champions in three of the past four years, were knocked out 2-1 by UCU Canons in the quarterfinals.

Their conquerors went down 3-2 to Warriors who consequently booked a fourth successive appearance in the finals which starts tomorrow at YMCA court.

Here, they will meet an old foe in Falcons attempting to wrestle a record-stretching seventh title but first since the come-from-behind 3-2 victory over Warriors in 2007.

It’s also Falcons’ first qualification for the best-of-seven finals since losing 3-1 to Power in 2008. The sleeping giant is back and the series will come down to these key matchups.

Blick vs Omony
Norman Blick or Stephen Omony. That’s an argument fans never cease to hold in regard to who the greater player is. Their matchup will be more important than any argument is the terraces.

It went a long way in deciding the two regular season games. During the first round encounter, Norman guarded Omony to restrict the Falcon to only seven points, making one of nine from downtown.

Warriors won 73-53 with Norman scoring 15, eight of those in the fourth period. Omony returned the favour in the return fixture, scoring 18 points and 10 rebounds while keeping Norman to six in Falcons’ 73-65 revenge.

Norman is very good on transition and has a good eye setting up teammates when he penetrates. However, he doesn’t possess the lethal shooting hand of Omony.

Omony, who has not won with Falcons since returning from Seychelles in 2009 has a mid-range jumper to turn to and is one of the best perimeters shooters. His rebounding is also crucial to the team.

Over the years, the two have really cherished being the go-to men. No wonder the experiment of having them play together at Miracle Eagles last season stalled with a 3-1 semi-finals defeat by Power.
Advantage Falcons

Malinga vs Ameny
The dearth of consistent players on the inside has made Philip Ameny Falcons’ most important player. He is relishing the role – at least if the flurry of dunks is anything to go by.

The 21 points and 11 rebounds in the 72-57 Game Five semi-final win over KIU Titans is something Ameny has made a habit. He is willing to use his size and win his battles.

However, Ameny lacks support as Brian Ssentogo and Edwin Kateregga have been lacklustre. This often gets him into foul trouble and Warriors will exploit it. Like we saw in the Game Two semi-final 66-56 win over UCU when he scored 17 points and six rebounds, Ameny’s opposite, veteran Henry Malinga, is still capable of turning games.
Advantage Falcons

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

Juruni vs Falcons’ coaches
Juruni has quite a crowded cast on his bench. At least, he is in full charge. Falcons insist Tony Oluka is the head coach. However, Gad Eteu is the more active especially in the biggest games.
In the event that Falcons need just one big call to win a Game Seven, conflict will not be far away either between coaches or the big players on the floor even if they have looked stable all year.
After the failure against Power last year, Juruni ought to have learnt his lesson and his options are better now and if the law of averages is to count.
Advantage Warriors

Ssimbwa factor
Wanting to win this in memory of John Ssimbwa, the former Falcons’ patron and chairman, is an open secret and should drive the team to work even harder.
Many of the players Ssimbwa nurtured over the years in Omony, Ssentogo, Kateregga and Tumusiime are back home to win this in his honour.

Roles reversal
The Malinga brothers, Eric and Henry, were once synonymous with Falcons before moving on to Warriors at the start of 2010.
Just like the two front court players, Eteu and Dulah combined for Warriors’ 2009 title. Eteu was also an assistant when Falcons beat Warriors 3-2 to win the 2007 championship from 2-0 down.
It promises to a thrilling series either way. Power have ruined my predictions for Warriors to win over the past two finals. It’s now Falcons’ chance to do so.

MY VERDICT: Warriors to win 4-2