Breakers backing themselves against Melbourne Utd

AUCKLAND: The Breakers have anointed themselves favourites for their threelegged Australian NBL semifinal against top dog Melbourne United — and do not care one jot what others think of it.

The Kiwis, who finished fourth in the regular ANBL season, will play the first of their three semifinal clashes against Melbourne today. They will then return for a home semifinal in Auckland on Monday night, before a potential winnertakesall clash in Melbourne next week.

Rather than remain guarded, Breakers boss Paul Henare came out swinging yesterday, saying he backed, and expected, his team to triumph.

It has a good record against United, winning 10 of its past 13 encounters, and has played in eight of the past 11 ANBL finals series.

But the Breakers did lose their last two fixtures to Melbourne last month, in matches noted for their niggle and finalslevel intensity.

‘‘We favour ourselves and don’t really care what anyone else thinks,’’ Henare said.

‘‘In a threegame series, you can’t give away too many opportunities, so we will do all we can to close it out at home in two.

‘‘We’ll rely on the guys that have been around the traps.’’

The likes of Mika Vukona, Tom Abercrombie and the retiring Kirk Penney have all dominated past finals matches, as has big centre Alex Pledger.

Imports Edgar Sosa and DJ Newbill also bring bigmatch pedigree.

Henare said his team got back together on Wednesday after the international basketball window, in which the Tall Blacks beat China and South Korea.

His players were already looking the business.

‘‘We’re getting up for a semifinal and if you can’t get ready for that, maybe you’re doing the wrong thing — I’m sure that has a lot to do with it,’’ Henare said.

‘‘They are all fantastic, they are fresh, moving around great and the energy and intensity at practice yesterday was outstanding.’’ — NZN