WITH just two weeks to go before Worcester Wolves and Cheshire Phoenix lock horns in the BBL Cup final the two sides will collide tomorrow (5.30pm).

And Wolves centre Dallin Bachynski is determined to inflict a “mental blow” on their opponents when they meet in the BBL Trophy quarter-finals.

The clash at the Cheshire Oaks Arena will be viewed as the dress rehearsal for their showdown at the Arena Birmingham on Sunday, January 28.

But Bachynski said he felt it was important to lay down a marker before the final as Wolves look to see off Phoenix.

“It’s crazy that this game has come up so close to the final,” said the 26-year-old.

“There will be a lot of mind games played because you could throw everything you have got at this game, like all your sets and defensive schemes.

“But then that could come back to bite you because they will have got all that film.

“People have been saying that whoever wins this game will win the cup final.

“I see them as two separate games but I think we are definitely going to try to win this first game and try to put a mental blow on them.

“If we can show them that no matter what, they can’t compete with us then maybe that will give them a different look going into the cup final.

“But it is going to be a tough fight.”

Wolves ran out 91-78 winners when they went head-to-head in the British Basketball League in October.

But the last time the two clubs met in the knockout stages of a competition was in the 2012 play-offs.

Worcester were on a nine-match winning streak in all competitions before losing 91-82 at league leaders Leicester Riders last week.

But Bachynski, who scored a career-high 31-point haul that day, said the intensity in training had increased as Wolves players look to push their cases ahead of the cup final later this month.

“Being in a final does not come around very often,” said the 7ft Canadian.

“Great players have more opportunities than others.

“But anytime you can look ahead to a final there is a lot of fire there so I am doing my best to make sure we are ready for it.

“We have finally got to a point where we know our roles within the team.

“I know what Brandon (Parrish) prefers, what Tray (Palmer) wants to do and what Rob (Gilchrist) and George (Beamon) are looking to do as well.

“The cup final is at the back of our minds but the closer it gets the more forefront it will get.

“Having that final out in front of us is definitely a good motivation.”