Tigers claw bankers to wind up third in basketball league

USIU-A Tigers beat former champions Co-operative Bank 60-56 in the classification play-off tie to finish third in the Kenya Basketball Federation men’s Premier League at Nyayo National Stadium Gymnasium, on Sunday.

Tigers were eliminated 3-2 by Ulinzi Warriors in a closely contested best-of-five play-off semi-final series while Co-op Bank surrendered the League title after losing 3-0 to newly crowned champions Kenya Ports Authority (KPA).

KPA recaptured the league title they last won 23 years ago with a 3-1 victory over Ulinzi Warriors in the play-offs final.

KPA beat Ulinzi Warriors 71-59 in a make-or-break Game Four on Saturday to be declared the new 2014 champions.

The league had been dominated by Co-op  Bank and Ulinzi Warrior who have won the title a record 13 years between them. KPA won the inaugural edition of the league in 1987, then again emerged victorious in 1990 and 1991.

Co-op Bank have won the crown eight times and Ulinzi Warriors five.

NO CASH PRIZE

On Sunday Joseph Ondinyo and Salim Yaye dictated the game for Tigers against Co-op Bank, whose dream of winning their ninth title was shattered by KPA.

Co-op Bank had James Mwangi and veteran Brian Busu making superb contributions in the first quarter. Tigers squeezed a narrow 9-8 first quarter lead before Victor Bosire and Abel Nson guided them to 20-11 lead in the second quarter.

Co-op Bank had a relaxed approach to the tie, trailing 29-19 at the breather.

Tigers fielded only seven players but even that proved too much for a full strength Co-op Bank to handle.

Coach Carey Oketch of Co-op Bank used the half-time break to review the team systems of play which realized positive results as they led 16-15 at the end of the third quarter and a 21-16 fourth quarter run.

Tigers, received the bronze medals from KBF secretary-general Vitalis Gode but without a cash prize.