Wednesday, August 31
•Miracle Ravens Vs KIU Rangers (0-1) – 6:30pm
•KCCA Panthers Vs Nam Blazers (0-1) – 8:30pm
Miracle Ravens will “leave everything on the floor” when they face KIU Rangers in game two of the Tusker-Lite sponsored NBL playoffs at Lugogo.
Coach Arnold Katabi is confident that his Girls have all it takes to force a decider despite falling 38-90 in game one on Saturday at YMCA.
And the Ravens find themselves in a win-or-go-home situation on Wednesday.
“Game one was tough on us but we have prepared ourselves very well,” Katabi told The-SportsNation.
“We didn’t give ourselves an indication of what we have really been up to in Game one, we lacked effort and it showed on the floor and that’s why we lost it in the way we lost it.
“I believe that we are ready for game two, we have corrected certain things and we should do different come game two.
“You will see a different team altogether, it will be the same people but the mood has been positive and I believe that they can pull this one. We want to save our season. We expect a game three.”
Without doubt, Miracle Ravens who are making their debut in the league are the second best in this tie against a KIU Rangers who finished third.
They failed to put up a contest, given they lost to the same team by just six points in the second round of the regular season. On Saturday, they just made it easy for the Kansanga-based university side.
They were out-rebounded 62-52, converted just one of their 29 shots from three, made 33 turnovers and managed just 12 points from the bench.
Guard Brenda Nakitende, with all the experience she has, failed to show up to the occasion, and ended up shooting 0-for-16!
The other guard Brenda Alyano struggled in the opening exchanges but contributed 11 points.
Barbara Namukaya who also scored 11 points was overwhelmed by KIU defence, and she has to step up on Wednesday if Miracle are to live by their name.
The Rangers meant business on Saturday, an indicator that Roger Sserunyigo and his charges are not settling for anything less than a trip to the final this season.
Besides their usual best players in Uwineza Ninette, Perus Nyamwenge, Ines Kanyamunza and Sharon Kirabo, the rest of the squad ticked most boxes.
Youngster Rose Amaniyo, who is still a student at Kitende, garnered 13 points and five rebounds while Florence Nanyonga and Clarise Ntumba were very industrious and solid.
