Co-op on track for semis

Former champions Co-operative Bank enhanced their chances of qualifying for the men’s Kenya Basketball Federation play-offs semi-finals after defeating Thunder in two consecutive quarter-final matches in Nairobi at the weekend.

Co-op Bank made a bright start in their bid to reclaim the league title they last won in 2013 with a 79-52 win over Thunder in quarter-final Game One. The bankers, who have won the trophy a record seven times, registered another huge 82-53 victory over Thunder in Game Two on Sunday. Both matches were played at Nyayo National Stadium Gymnasium.

Co-op, who topped the regular season with 41 points, are now one match away from the semi-finals after taking a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five series. Victory in Game Three set for this weekend will propel the bankers on a 3-0 basis.

Thunder, who were hit 3-2 by USIU-A Tigers in last year’s semi-final, must win Game Three at all costs or crash out of the play-offs.

Co-op had an upper hand against shaky Thunder in the two opening matches. The bankers’ James Mwangi was on fire. He demolished Thunder 24-9 in the first quarter of the Game Two.

Thunder, whose captain Griffins Ligare and Kevin Chogo were given tight marking, managed to force a 16-16 tie in the second quarter. After showing signs of recovery by going up 19-17 in the third quarter, Thunder, however, lost momentum at the hour of need.

Co-op led by Joseph Khaemba and Allan Ouma hit Thunder hard 25-6 in the last quarter. Mwangi, poured in 15 points of his 20 points in first quarter of the opener. He hit 16 points in Game Two with Chogo replying with 19 for the losers.

RALLIED FROM BEHIND

In another match, Co-op Bank women’s team rallied from behind to lock the play-offs quarter-final s best-of-three series 1-1 when they defeated coach Ronnie Owino’s Strathmore University 49-30 in Game Two on Sunday.

The university students had won the opener 46-43 and the decisive Game Three will now determine who qualifies for the semi-final.

League leaders Kenya Ports Authority and Equity Bank earned an automatic tickets to the semis. Champions USIU-A Flames have also qualified for the semis after sending home three-time champions Eagle Wings 2-0 in the quarter-finals.

Co-op Bank coach Carey Oketch said: “Although we respect our opponents, our aim is to end the series 3-0 and qualify for the final.”

Play-off quarters results

Women: Daystar University 55 Strathmore University 56, Co-op Bank 41 Strathmore University 39, Lady Bucks 39 Zetech University 67, Co-op Bank 49 Strathmore University 30, Daystar University 38 Strathmore University 60.

Men: Co-op Bank 82 Thunder 53, Pirates 51 Zetech University 54, Riara University 77 Zetech University 68, Ulinzi Warriors 67 KPA 66, KPA 77 Ulinzi Warriors 72.