KPA find home side De Agosto too hot to handle
Kenya Ports Authority’s Georgia Otieno (left) drives forward with the ball against Angola’s Primero De Agosto during their FIBA Africa Club Championship match in Luanda on November 13, 2017. De Agosto won 75-43. PHOTO | FIBA AFRICA |
What you need to know:
- Former champions Primero De Agosto signalled their intentions of reclaiming the Fiba Africa Club Championships for women with a deserved 75-43 win over stubborn Kenya Ports Authority in a Group B matches at Arena de Kilamba basketball court in Luanda on Sunday.
- De Agosto, however, found the going tough in the first quarter against a gritty KPA who trailed by only four points in a 14-10 scoreline. They widened the lead to 34-19 at half time after outscoring the Kenyan lasses 20-9 in the second quarter.
- Strong inside play and good outside shooting did the trick for De Agosto.
IN LUANDA, ANGOLA
Former champions Primero De Agosto signalled their intentions of reclaiming the Fiba Africa Club Championships for women with a deserved 75-43 win over stubborn Kenya Ports Authority in a Group B matches at Arena de Kilamba basketball court in Luanda on Sunday.
De Agosto, however, found the going tough in the first quarter against a gritty KPA who trailed by only four points in a 14-10 scoreline. They widened the lead to 34-19 at half time after outscoring the Kenyan lasses 20-9 in the second quarter.
Strong inside play and good outside shooting did the trick for De Agosto.
Their power forward Dongue Lela Tania do Bastiac, a professional Mozambique import, was unstoppable inside the paint while US-based Gala Rosa Maria, a clutch three point shooter and Alicia Devaugh kept the scores ticking for the home side
KPA gave a descent account of themselves but the Agosto firepower proved to be the deciding factor.
However, KPA’S post players of Brigit Nanzala, Felmas Koranga, Beryl Diana and Ritah Onyango must box put their bigger opponents if they are to have a chance in this tournament.
Koranga in particular was a constant threat posting a game high 16 points and seriously needs support from her fellow post players who must also score in double digits to enable KPA win their match on Tuesday against Congolese side DCMP.
The Congolese lost their opening match 67-38 to tournament favourites Ferravierio de Maputo from Mozambique.
KPA guards Natalie Mwangale, Betty Kananu, Seline Okumu, Georgia Adhiambo, Lucy Machuma and Lucy Ohanga must show more creativity offensively and improve on their long range shooting if the dockers want to go far in this tournament.
Dongue was De Agosto’s top scorer with 13 points, Alicia 12 points while Gonzales Ana and Gala Rosa had 11 points each.
KPA had Koranga with 16, Mwangale 8, while Betty Kananu managed four points.
Meanwhile, the other Kenyan team in the competition Equity Bank lost again 59-32 to GSP from Algeria in a match they should have won.
GSP led 11-7 in the first quarter and never looked back taking a 29-11 halftime lead.
Post players Mercy Wanyama and Belinda Okoth from whom much was expected were tightly marked by Congolese duo of Mirelle Nyoka Muganza and Girrette Makiese.
