Tough KPA rally to slay Warriors
What you need to know:
- In men’s Division One League, Zetech University got off to a good start after battling from behind to beat Umoja 71-62 in final Game One showdown.
- Ulinzi’s Ancette Wafula linked up with William Ochieng and Ben Mfutu to score crucial baskets for a 40-31 at half-time.
- On resumption, KPA, led by assistant coach Fredrick Odongo, took a 23-12 third quarter lead. Ulinzi’s Victor Odendo, Mfutu and Antonio Bwire worked hard to erase the margin but KPA clung to a narrow 68-67 lead at the final whistle.
Kenya Ports Authority and Zetech University men’s basketball teams made a bright start to this year’s national play-off finals after registering victories in the opening Game One matches at Safaricom Stadium Kasarani on Wednesday night.
In the men’s Premier League, KPA came from behind to edge hard fighting Ulinzi Warriors 68-67 in a tough Game One of the best-of-five final series. Ulinzi raced to a nine-point lead (40-31) at the break but squandered the advantage. Game Two was scheduled for the same venue yesternight.
The new Premier League champions will be known on Sunday after Game Five in case of 2-2 tie. Co-op Bank surrendered the crown after KPA humiliated them 3-0 in the semi-final.
DIVISION ONE LEAGUE
In men’s Division One League, Zetech University got off to a good start after battling from behind to beat Umoja 71-62 in final Game One showdown. Umoja were leading (37-28) at halftime and the two teams were also programmed to play Game Two yesterday at 6pm.
Ulinzi Warriors, who had eliminated USIU-A Tigers 3-2 in the semi-finals, had a strong start, rocking KPA 21-15 in the first quarter. Playing without their coach Anthony Ojukwu, KPA took time to settle down against Ulinzi Warriors.
Ulinzi’s Ancette Wafula linked up with William Ochieng and Ben Mfutu to score crucial baskets for a 40-31 at half-time.
On resumption, KPA, led by assistant coach Fredrick Odongo, took a 23-12 third quarter lead. Ulinzi’s Victor Odendo, Mfutu and Antonio Bwire worked hard to erase the margin but KPA clung to a narrow 68-67 lead at the final whistle.
Gitonga scored 19 points and Alex Lugasi 14 for KPA, while Wafula scored 18 and Ochieng 13 for the soldiers.
Joshua Kisali shot 14 points and Raymond Wanyonyi 15 to help Zetech University beat Umoja 71-62 in Game One of the men’s Division One play-offs final. Zetech, who had knocked out Dankind 3-2 in the tight semi-final, trailed Umoja 15-9 at the breather. Umoja led 37-28 at the break.
Zetech recovered to lead 21-9 and 22-16 in the last two quarters to for a full-time 71-62 victory.
Zetech coach Joab Munene said: “If the my boys maintain the same fighting power we expect to win the championship on a 3-0 run.”
