KPA draw first blood to floor Equity in KBF final playoff

Former Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) women’s Premier League champions Kenya Ports Authority crushed holders Equity Bank 56-50 in Game Two as they hey hit back to level their playoff final series at 1-1 on Sunday at Makande Gymnasium in Mombasa.

KPA had lost Game One 63-59 on Saturday but turned tables on the Bankers with a dominant display at the Makande Gymnasium in Mombasa.

KPA’s Vilma Akinyi splashed 16 points to lead the scoring charts followed by Taudencia Katumbi and Rebecca Nkatha who scored eight apiece.

Equity’s Samba Mjomba netted 10 while Melissa Achieng had 9.

The two giants will face off again in Game Three, Four and Five in Nairobi on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday respectively to establish who will be crowned the 2019 champions.

And at the Makande court on Sunday afternoon, KPA started off well winning the first quarter 12-05 before losing the next quarter 18-12 to assume a slim 24-23 lead at halftime.

In the second half Equity won the third quarter 18-16 before losing 16-09 in the fourth quarter to the hosts.

Despite the loss, Equity head coach David Maina praised his girls for a gallant fight.

“We had a good game though we got tired in the last minutes but it’s part of the game. The weather also affected us but if we play that way in Nairobi and have a good game plan we will succeed,” Maina said, upbeat that his charges can run riot at the Nyayo National Stadium Gymnasium to retain the coveted gong while also showering his girls with praise.

On her part, team captain Esther Butali was magnanimous in defeat.

“We had a tough match; KPA gave their ‘A’ game and utilized their big names, for us it didn’t work because we depended on guards to score. We are going to recover in Nairobi,” reckoned Butali.

“We started and finished well, played well on rebounds and our shots were good. It will be difficult for us in Nairobi but I hope today’s win will motivate my girls,” KPA coach Mike Opel said.

Team Captain Brenda Angeshi attributed the win to team work.

“We are happy and glad for the comeback and hoping to continue with the same spirit in Nairobi,” she charged.