The Division I final between Namuwongo Blazers and UPDF Tomahawks is truly a classic. With Blazers running away with game I which was played on Independence Day, UPDF returned with a vengeance to totally dominate a Cheng-less Blazers in game II, 80:64. Peter Cheng the 6’10 Blazers center suffered a wrist injury in game one and without his length in the paint, the Tomahawks went on a close to seamless offensive night – going in the halftime break with a 22pts advance at 45:23.
Peter Cheng has been instrumental to Blazer’s advance to the final. The Buddo SS student is an athletic tower that makes it rather difficult for opponents to make shots, a great rebounder and of splendid offensive arsenal. His skill as a good catcher of the ball in the paint has been providing Blazers with plenty of opportunities in the high low offense, and as less taller opponents settled into double teams – it opened up the perimeter shooters like Vincent Yiki who’ve been very lethal for the Blazers.
UPDF can only keep hoping that their offense will stay fluid the way it was Saturday night. It seemed like everything they touched turned into gold. They were the better offensively disciplined team, sharing the ball better and finding their key scorers. It was almost unbelievable that the Tomahawks were more proficient in the quick offense a trait that’s been mostly one for the Blazers.
In game II, Blazers sought to pressure the ball high but almost every time the Tomahawks were disciplined enough to obliterate them in one-on-one situations.
The energy and passion in Division I finals is unmatched so we can only look forward to a thriller in game III which will be played Saturday.
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