GBL Premier games round up – 3/05/2009
University of Johannesburg vs. University of Pretoria – Ladies Premier
This was a rematch of the USSA 2009 semi final that UJ won convincingly. This time there were a few added surprises to the game with Tuks recalling their veterans in Nicky de Villiers and Sibongile Maswanganye to their squad while UJ looked like they didn’t have a bench, or a recognized point guard.
With 3 minutes gone in the 1st quarter, the game was still scoreless. UJ were missing easy opportunities with Tuks playing some good defence. Tuks were playing as a team while UJ were relying on the enterprising play of Makgotso Moloantoa (UJ 4) who seemed to be doing everything on the day. Her best moves happened when she took the ball to the hoop. Strangely enough her other colleague, Lungile wasn’t shooting the ball well on this particular day and it affected the rest of her game.UJ were struggling to get any change from the Tuks 3-2 zone but they were throughout the first and second quarter, at half time the score was 20 – 18 in their favour.
The 3rd quarter had the same tone but Tuks were relying on Takalani Mfamadi fast break points and Sibongile’s shooting from the 3 point line. If that wasn’t enough scoring, Tuks player&coach Nicky was cleaning out on the boards. UJ were still relying on their guard Makgotso to create their offense for them with Nozipho trying to make her presence felt inside.
With a few minutes left in the last quarter, it was still anyone’s game with a one point swing. That’s when Sibo made some crucial baskets with a huge 3 pointer to give Tuks some breathing space. That shot knocked the wind out of UJ’s sails and they couldn’t recover from that. They missed a shot on the subsequent trip down and then Sibo came up with a wild shot that went in beating the shot clock.
In the end Tuks won by 5 points. UJ looked like a shadow of the team that made it to the finals and the hunger simply wasn’t there on the day.
University of Pretoria vs. Egoli Magic – Men Premier
This was definitely David vs. Goliath as Tuks knew before the first whistle that they were going the lose with the question being by how much.
Strange enough Egoli’s first quarter was lackluster with Tuks in the game for long periods. Tuks guard, Tichafara Mabiza (Tuks 13) was causing Egoli all sorts of problems with his dribbling and driving. Egoli were relying on their outside shooting with Quintin Denyssen, Joseph Mazibuko and Lesego Molebatsi the usual suspects. With Sifiso running the point for Egoli, they were passing the ball well but their defending was dodgy to say the least in the opening stanza. 1st Quarter score: 20 – 14 (Egoli)
After some adjustements, Egoli came out with more intensity by applying pressure on the Tuks guard who was the main threat. This seemed to produce the required results with Egoli getting plenty of break away baskets. When Egoli introduced their twin towers, Cedric and Alaska, Tuks were struggling to get any baskets inside while the rebounds were also controlled by these two giants. Half time: 45 – 21 (Egoli)
The 2nd half was a procession with Tich (Tuks 13) tired from the man on man pressure that was applied to him and the rest of his teammates unable to get their game going. As far as Egoli is concerned, it became a free for all with the coach deciding to go home early and leaving the rest of the game in the capable hands of his assistant James Mthetwa.
There were attempted and made dunks from Alaska, Joseph but by that time the game was gone and Egoli bench were doing the cheering for their teammates on the floor. Tuks look destined for relegation and they will do well to find that same passion they showed in the build up to the USSA championship.
In earlier games, VUT ladies beat Scorpions in a one sided match. VUT men proceeded to do the same to the CUT team who had no answer to the perimeter players.
Article by Victor Shakineza
Great Article and Reporting mybasketball team. keep up the good work!!
well done panthers