BASKETBALL:IRISH INTERNATIONAL Scott Kinevane is delighted to be playing a big part in UL Eagles' season as they look to claim their first Nivea For Men's SuperLeague title at the expense of favourites Killester at the National Basketball Arena.
The Eagles secured their spot in tomorrow’s final courtesy of finishing top of the Southern Conference, before eliminating reigning champions UCC Demons in the semi-finals.
“We learned a lot from having a losing season last term,” said Kinevane. “We got this season off to a great start and the more of a run we were building up the more confidence we were getting.
“It’s crazy what a couple of wins can do, the crowd started to come out in force and there is a real feeling that we are part of something special here.”
Kinevane has played a huge part in the club’s success, and he puts a lot of this down to his involvement with the Irish team last summer.
“Irish coaches Jay Larranaga and Pat Price really helped me,” added Kinevane. “They put faith in me during the European qualifiers and gave me some valuable minutes on the court, so I supposed I just carried on from there.”
Meanwhile, Killester guard Keith Anderson believes the three wins his side have enjoyed over UL this season will count for nothing.
Killester have a perfect record over UL, with their win in the National Cup quarter-final followed by two wins in the regular season.
“We have to forget about the recent game because it will mean nothing if we can’t beat them at the weekend,” said Anderson. “The games we have had with them have been really intense and we are going to have to keep tabs on Stuart Robbins if we are to prevail this weekend.”
Anderson has enjoyed a fantastic season since returning from a spell in Spain with Gran Canaria Academy and is relishing the prospect of a possible treble success.
“It has been our goal to win the lot this year,” added Anderson. “We have the National Cup and the regular season, but it would be the cherry on top if we can follow that up with a league title.”
Meanwhile, in the IrishSport.tv Women’s SuperLeague, Team Montenotte Hotel Cork are aiming for their third league title in a row against a DCU Mercy side looking to secure the double.
DCU hold a 2-1 win record over Montenotte this season, with the all-important victory coming in this season’s National Cup Final.
Montenotte did beat DCU on the opening day of the campaign, but that win was cancelled out by DCU on the final day of the regular season.
TOMORROW’S NATIONAL LEAGUE FINALS
(National Basketball Arena)
Women's Division One Final– Oblate Dynamos v Scruffy St Paul's, noon.
Men's Division One Final– Titans v Team Garveys St Mary's, 2pm.
Women's SuperLeague Final– Team Montenotte Hotel Cork v DCU Mercy, 4pm.
Men's SuperLeague Final– Killester v UL Eagles, 6pm.
