By Isaac Akugizibwe

KIU Main Campus - KIU Titans go into tonight's game with only two options, to win and to avoid defeat with the tie at 1-1, Namuwongo Blazers won't afford anything less either hence a tight contest on the cards. The game kicks off at 9:00 pm EAT.

The Titans put up a memorable performance to level the series on Sunday and will look to keep up the momentum and take game three in their favour. This encounter is arguably the most competitive in this year's NBL semifinals and any team that claims it, is bound to be a tough side to meet at the final end of the business.

"We know how important this game is and we are ready for the challenge," KIU Titans Coach Raymond Muhumuza said in an interview on Thursday.

Though the Titans played very well and were able to win game two, Namuwongo still proved very dangerous especially when they aren't well contained. Muhumuza is confident his team has got all it takes to register a second consecutive win against the slum boys but will need to control the flow of the game first.

"Our aim is to control what we can control, take care of the ball, limit their second chances and we shall be good to go," he said.

Former Titan Ariel Okall who stood out in game one and led the persecution of his former side was kept quiet in game two on Sunday and he is expected to try to rediscover his dancing rhythm tonight and so will Collins Kasujja who managed only a point in game two. And Raymond Muhumuza and Julius Lutwama must be ready to outwit Stephen Nyeko in deployment.

In fact, it is David Deng Dikong and Ariel Okall who destroyed the Titans in the game, and thanks to Muhumuza and Lutwama for containing them in game two and according to Muhumuza, the two are special players and can only be contained.

"They are special players. I think we can't stop them, we can only contain them," he said.

Titans' big man Henry Okoth is confident, that the boys in green will not tolerate anything close to nonsense and are ready to continue from where they stopped on Sunday evening.

"We are well prepared for the day and ready for the night come tomorrow," Okoth told Kiunews on Thursday. 

Okoth applauded the Titans fans whom he said have given the team strength to do better every time they are on the court. "We are really proud of them every day" he noted.

The winner in today's game will have more chances of progressing to the finals but must also win game four to proceed. And given the intensity of today's tie, a tough contestation is expected as either team can not afford to lose.