Basketball: Vukona the key for rising Breakers

Breakers player Mika Vukona. Photo / Dean Purcell

New Zealand Breakers import Kevin Braswell says the presence of injured forward Mika Vukona was inspirational as they forced their Australian National Basketball League semifinal against the Perth Wildcats to a deciding third match.

The Breakers finished top of the regular season standings but were written off by many after they tamely lost their first semifinal 101-78 at home, and appearing to lose Vukona to a knee injury in the process.

But they shrugged off their critics with a gritty 93-89 win in Perth on Sunday, thanks in part to 38 points from star shooter Kirk Penney and Vukona's heroics.

Vukona, who went off injured after three minutes of the first game, picked up 10 rebounds in Perth and his presence seemed to lift the team.

"He does so much more than just rebound," Braswell said. "Just his presence on the floor, you know, you can make a mistake on defence and you know he's going to help you, and he sets great screens on offence.

"He does so many little things on the floor that don't show up on the stat sheet."

Vukona says "a lot of prayer and a lot of faith" helped him get to Sunday's game.

"The scan came out positive on Friday and then it was just a matter of resting and doing what the physio said."

He said the knee felt "a lot better after the win", and that he was happy to listen carefully to medical advice ahead of tomorrow night's decider on the North Shore.

Vukona, a Tall Blacks representative, has won the ANBL before with the South Dragons but said a title with the Breakers would be even sweeter.

"The experience over in Aussie was amazing, I got to be coached under two of the best coaches Aussie has to offer, but at the same time this is where I'm from and there's a lot of emotion, a lot of pride that comes with playing for this team, for any New Zealander."

If the Breakers win tomorrow they will play either the Townsville Crocodiles or the Cairns Taipans in the final.

- NZPA