Dockers bask in the glory of retaining the crown

Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) are the 2017 Kenya men basketball league champions after successfully defending the crown they won in 2016 by defeating Strathmore University ‘Blades’  3-1 in the series of best-of-five in the fourth game played at KPA Makande Gymnasium on Sunday afternoon in Mombasa.

This is after defeating Blades 61-53 in game four. Sunday’s win came in the back-drop of victories in game one (51-50) and two (68-37) before being humiliated in game three (65-64).

Speaking to Citizen Digital, ecstatic KPA head coach Sammy Kiki expressed his joy of retaining the crown.

“I’m really happy; it’s a great joy defending the trophy. It was not an easy battle because Strathmore was a strong team but I knew they will get tired in the final quarter, “Kiki said.

Kiki added that his duty is to now ensure they conquer the African zone five championship which is due to take place in Rwanda from October 1-7.

“I will maintain the same team but recruit three or four and have early preparation so as to do better in the African zone five championship where we finish third.”

KPA captain Samuel Ocholla also weighed in. “It’s been a long season. We didn’t expect to reach this far but everyone did what he was supposed to do; we worked as a team,” he said.

Ocholla added that they have had some challenges since most players do their training in Nairobi while only three do their work outs in Mombasa.

Losing coach Tony Ochieng said he is happy for the results having in mind his team consists of young players as compared to KPA who are experienced.

“I’m really happy with the boys even though we wanted to win. Our main target is now for the upcoming national basketball league and African zone five championship. We are going to do some recruitment to beef up the squad,” Ochieng added

The game seemed to go either way as KPA won the first quarter 16-13 before drawing 6-6 in the second quarter. Things looked complicated for them as Blades won the third quarter 18-15 before KPA came back strongly in the fourth quarter defeating Blades 24-16 to claim the win on 61-53.

Both teams will represent Kenya in the African zone five Championship.