Who can stop Phoenix’s five-peat charge?
University of Namibia (Unam) Phoenix look increasingly difficult to stop in the Khomas Basketball Association (KBA) Women’s Premier League after beating the only side appearing capable of seriously challenging them in the latest round.
Playing at Unam Gym Hall in the capital, the four-time defending champions faced second-placed Ongos Shooting Stars for the third and final time this season and once again prevailed, winning 68-46.
Ongos had lost their earlier encounters 85-48 in March and 55-40 in May.
With only a few matches remaining before the playoffs, questions are now being raised over whether this year’s championship is Phoenix’s to lose. They lead the standings with 19 points from 10 games, while Ongos are four points behind with a game in hand.
Phoenix’s lone defeat
The leaders’ only defeat this season was reportedly their first in four years, when a spirited Basketball Artists School (BAS) Falcons side narrowly beat a depleted Phoenix 69-61 in their first meeting of the season in April.
Phoenix responded by routing Falcons 83-37 in June, with the two sides due to meet for the third and final time on today’s Super Friday card at Unam Gym Hall at 18:30.
The fourth-placed Falcons, on 11 points from nine games, will therefore have another opportunity to avenge that heavy defeat.
After Phoenix completed a three-game sweep of Ongos, small forward Azul Celeste made no secret of their five-peat ambitions, saying falling 17-13 behind in the opening quarter was a tactical ploy to study their opponents’ play.
“As per usual, we always need an adjustment. [It] was a thing of us seeing [their] plays, to counter and see what works for us. After we got what we needed, that’s when we started pulling up,” she noted.
Asked what was next for Phoenix, Celeste did not hesitate: “Championship! The W!” making their pursuit of a fifth consecutive title clear.
Another shot at redemption
Elsewhere in the standings, third-placed Nust Dodgers will look to redeem themselves in a high-stakes clash against Ongos Shooting Stars at Unam Gym Hall on Sunday at 10:00.
The two sides are tied on 15 points, with Ongos holding a superior score differential (SD) of +155 compared with Nust Dodgers’ -21, despite the latter having played more games at 10.
Ongos have dominated their previous meetings, winning 75-60 in March and 87-42 in May. Other match-ups in the round will see Ongos face Unam Ignites on Saturday at 12:00, before Ignites take on Falcons at Unam Outdoor Court on Sunday at 10:00.
Men’s Premier League encounters
In the men’s Premier League, the Super Friday card will see Afro Stars take on Penguins at the same venue at 20:15.
Penguins are fifth in the league, level on 14 points with Nust Gladiators, with the latter holding fourth place because of a superior score differential of -32 compared with -112.
Gladiators will later face a stern test against league leaders and defending champions Quality Basketball Club (QBC) at 16:00 on Sunday.
QBC hold a slender one-point lead over second-placed Unam Wolves, who will not feature in the round. Both sides have played 11 games.
Another Premier League encounter of the round will see Afro Stars return to the court to face BAS Vikings at 14:00 on Sunday.
Division One encounters
In Division One, Afro Stars II, Nust Reapers and Unam Cadets will each feature once. Afro Stars II face Unam Pacers at 16:00 on Saturday, Reapers meet Leopards at 18:00 on Saturday, while Cadets take on Plaza Warriors at 12:00 on Sunday.
Unam Knights have two encounters, first taking on QBC II at 10:00 on Saturday before returning to the court to face Leopards at 14:00 on Sunday. QBC II’s second encounter is against Team Allies at 12:00 on Sunday.
Team Allies will also face Plaza Warriors at 14:00 on Saturday.
Unam Wolves II lead the standings with 32 points from 17 games, followed by Unam Cadets on 29 points from 15 games and Nust Reapers on 25 points from 16 games.
