Champs Equity open title defence against Flames

Newly crowned Kenya Basketball Federation women’s Premier League champions Equity Bank will open their 2017 season against rivals USIU-A Flames in a grudge tie at Nairobi’s Nyayo Stadium gymnasium on March 19.

Equity, led by 2016 Most Valuable Player (MVP) Mercy Wanyama and top scorer Hilda Indasi, beat Kenya Ports Authority 3-2 in a tight best-of-five series play-offs final to win their first championship in history.

On the way to the final, Equity Bank knocked out back-to-back champions USIU-A Flames 3-0 in the play-off semi-finals.

According to fixtures released by Joseph Amoko, KBF fixture secretary on Thursday, the first leg will get underway with 20 opening matches in Nairobi, Kisumu, Nakuru and Eldoret on March 18.

The second day of the new season will see 11 matches on the card in Nakuru, Eregi Teachers College and Kisumu Sports Ground on March 19.

Kenya Ports Authority, who defeated Co-op Bank 3-1 in the play-off finals to be declared 2016 men’s Premier League champions, will open their title defence at home against newcomers Zetech University at KPA Makande Gymnasium on March 25.

KPA women’s team will also host newly promoted Zetech University on the same day, at the same venue. Zetech men and women’s teams will be making their first appearance in the top flight competition after their promotion from the Division One league respectively.

Zetech men’s side lost 2-3 to Umoja in the play-off final with two finalists earning a ticket to the Premier League.

Zetech women’s team, on the other hand, whitewashed Strathmore University 3-0 in the Division One League play-offs final to be declared winners to secure promotion to the Premier League.

Former champions Ulinzi Warriors, who surrendered the 2015 league title when then they lost -1-3 to KPA in the play-off semi-final, will start their campaign to recapture the crown against USIU-A Tigers at Nyayo on March 18.