After 10 grueling weeks of play, a resolution will finally be seen as we crown two new division champions (Division 1 & 2) and possibly a third in Division 3, that is, if HiiiPower fails to repeat. In a post season that has seen none of the three divisions Top 2 teams to make it to the championship round, we are left to wonder. “What if”. Now 6 six teams remain all wanting to stamp their name in the IBL history books, before we approach our decade mark of season 10.
#3 Knicee vs. #4 Dino’s Finest
With the pressure to deliver a championship Larry Dew will try his best to make due on his promise of another division championship, the stars have aligned for this 3 vs. 4 match-up and it will be sure to be a barn burner. To many analysts, I would have to agree that Knicee’s time is now, but Dino has been on a run as of late and that run has built this team’s already endless confidence. Dino has played tough completion so far this post season with victories over a tough Dynasty team and their last win coming at the expense of the #1 seed Cali Raisins. Knicee has struggled to come away with a decisive win in the first two rounds, almost falling to the #6 seeded Rebels in the quarterfinals and giving us an offensive blunder of a game while playing The Pack. If they perform the way they have in the first two rounds, I’d have to believe Larry Dew will be holding the golden ball once more.
Prediction: I see Knicee coming out on top is this heavyweight bout. Dino may be a favorite, but due to the poor performance by Kenneth Ubom so far in these playoffs I’d like to think he’d have a big game in the season’s most important game. Ubom is a primetime performer and no stage is bigger in the IBL than the division championship. Knicee just has the size, with their 3 interchangeable big men ( Jeron Devine, Dewayne O’Neal, & Odell Howard) and size speaks volumes in the IBL. If Knicee can play the game at their tempo and limit their turnovers then I see Knicee hoisting their first golden ball. However, if Dino gets hot as they did in Week 8 while playing the Rebels, then Knicee should be in for a very long night.
X-Factors:
Knicee: Ray Hong and Reggie Smith
Dino: Paul Miller and John Shields
#4 Quiksilver vs. #7 HighLife
This championship matchup is a surprising one to say the least. Well on one side of the bracket at least. As I stated in my earlier notes, HighLife was not even expected to get passed the #2 seed Wonton Soup in the first round, however due a forfeit, HighLife advanced and shocked the #3 seed Special Delivery in the Semi Final round in large part to the play of their Dynamic Duo in the backcourt of Sango Niang and Chris Fowler.
Now looking at their opponents, Quiksilver was a sleeper pick to get to this point. The acquisition of Jaime Villalobos, Johnny Earl, Richard Coombs & Mike Criscione go along with their core group of players as well as their star Jordan Block, this team was an early season favorite to win it all. With Block’s departure for college after Week 4, Quiksilver seemed to become a slight after thought in the championship discussion. They pulled through and things have come together at the right time, Quik has been on the cusp of a championship as recently as Season 7 when they fell to the eventual champions Primetime. This seems to be their season of redemption as they’ve defeated the last two division champions (Primetime [Season 7], UNDFTD [Season 8] ) to get to this point.
Prediction: Although HighLife has made it this far, their luck has ran out, Quiksilver’s front line is just too much to overcome, Niang and Fowler will both have to drop 40 a piece to give their team a chance to compete. On top of that, HighLifehas no one to defend Johnny Earl or Jaime Villalobos. Look for Villalobos to have his way and lead his team to the golden ball, and hoist his 3rd IBL Championship.
X-Factors:
HighLife: The supporting cast, everybody but Niang & Fowler will be this teams X-Factor.
Quiksilver: The play of their big men, if the big men can get easy baskets, it will force the smaller HighLife to double the post which will lead to wide open three-point shots.
#7 Burger Kings vs. #8 HiiiPower
HiiiPower takes the court to defend their championship by taking on the #7 seed Burger Kings. It’s amazing to see that out of a field of 12, the 7 & 8 seeds make it to the championship round. It goes to show that the division is immensely filled with talent. The Burger Kings have let it be known that this game was supposed to take place last season. After falling to Justice League, which led to JL eventually making it to the championship round and falling to the eventual champs HiiiPower. The Kings are back and they’ll get to show us that they could indeed win a championship in a division dominated by younger teams. Looking at the teams, it looks like Men vs. Boys. Don’t take HiiiPower lightly they’re an IBL franchise on the rise, after securing their first championship last season they look to repeat this season as the first team to do so in the division. Their D2 team which comprises of the same players from D3 also clinched a championship berth last season, so I’m going to go out on a limb and say HiiiPower takes home at least the D3 championship. They’re a well oiled machine, the chemistry is great and everyone knows their role. The Burger Kings will give this team a run for their money, but I see them running out of gas if they do not control the tempo.
Prediction: HiiiPower is just too young and explosive to let this opportunity slip away. They’re taking on an older team, that’s experienced in many facets of the game. I see HiiiPower defending their crown and coming out on top, this team’s time is now and they will not relinquish the throne. They’re young, explosive and hungry. HiiiPower will become the first champion to repeat in the division since its inception in Season 5.
X-Factors:
Burger Kings: The Burger Kings X-Factor is not a player, it’s a task, & that task is winning the rebounding battle, more so the offensive rebounding battle, in the semi finals their second chance opportunities, helped them solidify their win, look for them to do the same in this game.
HiiiPower: Storm Venegas andJerry Devora, Fowler and Niang need help, look for these two to provide that spark, these quartet of players are familiar with each other.
-Nathan Apolonio
IBL Full Court Press 