Red-hot USIU Flames scorch KPA to retain basketball title
USIU players celebrate with the trophy after beating KPA in Game Five of women’s national baketball league play-off finals at Nyayo Stadium Gymnasium on February 8, 2016 to retain the title. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO |
What you need to know:
- Equity stop Co-op Bank to finish third in women’s premier league
- In Monday’s decisive Game Five, Flames won 74-46 to be declared champions. The two teams had tied the series 2-2.
- Flames head coach George Mayienga said Chan, who scored between 21 and 31 points in every match in the series, deserved the MVP award.
Centre-forward Sarah Chan of USIU-A Flames was voted the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the best-of-five series women’s basketball Premier League play-off finals that ended at Nyayo National Stadium Gymnasium on Monday.
Flames head coach George Mayienga said Chan scored between 21 and 31 points in every match in the series and deserved the MVP award.
Chan won a cash prize award of Sh10,000. Flames sealed their second league title in a row when they defeated Kenya Ports Authority 3-2 in the series.
Winners Flames received Sh100,000 in prize money while runners-up KPA went home with Sh50,000. In Monday’s decisive Game Five, Flames won 74-46 to be declared champions. The two teams had tied the series 2-2.
On Monday, Mayienga’s USIU started attacking from the word go, with Georgia Adhiambo scoring six three-pointers.
“KPA quickly turned their attention to Adhiambo, leaving Chan to cause big damage to them.
“Chan, who was also voted among five top players in the Africa Club Championships in Angola last year is a lethal player. She combined well with point-guard Cynthia Irankunda to ensure we retain the league title, ’’ said Mayienga.
Mayienga said they had to work extra hard to retain the league title because all the teams in the competition were targeting to beat the reigning champions.
“Winning the championship for two consecutive years is good for USIU as an institution and also the players who worked extra-hard," said Mayienga.
Flames scored 80 per cent of their points from the free-throw line against KPA who also lost the 2014 championship to Flames.
KPA coach Sammy Kiki said: “We lost the decider in the third quarter when our defence collapsed. My players suffered fatigue after playing three tough away-matches in a row. USIU is an experienced progressive team. I congratulate them on winning the title for the second time in a row.” Kiki said he is scouting for players to beef up his team for the new season. KPA are looking to sign up two point guards and a forward.
Samba Mjomba scored game-high 27 points while Linda Mfuchi added 17 to help Equity Bank beat Co-op Bank 55-47 in the third-place play-offs.
