KPA storm Zone Five semis as Strathmore exit

Victor Odendo of KPA dribbles around his Partriots marker during their Fiba Zone Five Championships quarter-finals match in Dar es Salaam on October 5, 2018. PHOTO | PHILIP ONYANGO |

What you need to know:

  • Patriots led 21-18 in the first quarter and 39-35 at the break with their star trio of Steven Hagumintwari, Ndayisaba Dier Donne and Junior Kasongo on top of their game.

IN DAR ES SALAAM

Kenya Ports Authority powered their way into the men's semi-finals of the Fiba Zone Five Club Championships with hard-fought 65-61 victory over Patriots of Rwanda on Friday night here.

The Dockers, who made it to the last eight on a better goal difference after they tied on points with JKT of Tanzania and Cobra from Southern Sudan in the preliminary round, left it late to snatch the win after trailing for the better part of the game against the Rwandans - runners up in last year's championships in Kampala, Uganda.

Patriots led 21-18 in the first quarter and 39-35 at the break with their star trio of Steven Hagumintwari, Ndayisaba Dier Donne and Junior Kasongo on top of their game.

KPA's efforts to narrow the gap in the third quarter led by Victor Odendo, Victor Bosire and Victor Ochieng with support from James Mwangi, Daniel Omondi and Moses Wanjara, failed to bear fruits as Patriots widened the gap to 10 points for a 54-44 going into the fourth.

A massive comeback by the dockers, who outscored their opponents 21-7 in the fourth quarter, saw the Kenyans carry the day.

Bosire top-scored for KPA with 14 points, Victor Ochieng and James Mwangi had 12 each while Daniel Omondi sunk 10 points. Hagumintwari had game high 16 points while Ndayisaba scored 12 for the Rwandans.

Earlier, Strathmore Blades lost 71-53 to Egypt's Smouha to exit the tournament.

In the women's championships, Equity Bank made it three wins in a row with a comfortable 69-48 victory over hosts Jeshi La Kujenga Taifa.

KPA, who had a rest day on Friday, were due to face UCU of Uganda on Saturday before squaring it out with Equity in the last match on Sunday.