Friday, September 9
*JKL Lady Dolphins Vs KCCA Leopards – 7pm
*Nam Blazers Vs KIU Titans – 9pm
Nam Blazers and KIU Titans will be hoping for positive start when the semifinals of the Tusker-Lite NBL Playoffs get underway at Lugogo.
The Blazers who topped the league after regular season, eliminated KCCA Panthers at the quarterfinals to reach this stage with 63-41 and 80-58 wins in game one and two respectively.
The Titans on the other hand, also proved handful for Power when they swept the five time champions (70-57 and 68-59) to storm the semis.
These semis are being played on the best of five format, with the first team to win three games advance to the final where they will meet winner between UCU and Oilers.
The Blazers are favourites here, but KIU will provide a tougher challenge than they got against KCCA Panthers in the Quarters.
They will be without Joseph Ikong who has left for United States, but the addition of Peter Obleng looks like an able replacement.
And it’s strong to note that Obleng played for KIU Titans before moving to Burundi last year.
Chris Omanye and Chuol Nyuot are likely to be sacrificed to comply with the rule on number of foreign players that are supposed to make the roster.
But KIU Titans’ biggest worry must be in slowing down Amisi ‘Carmelo’Saidi Danny as the Congolese has been in terrific form this season.
They will be expected to throw a kitchen sink at him but besides Fidel Okoth, none at KIU can match his aggressiveness.
The Titans must be at their absolute best to have a chance in this series against a loaded side that beat them 74-65 and 76-58 twice in the regular season.
If Michael Otieno plays with intent, Henry Okoth, Joseph Chuma and Isaiah Mabeny Ater have their shots fall and Stanley Mugerwa gets more aggressive, KIU Titans may pull off a heist.
