KPA hit back to tie playoff semi with Ulinzi

The Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) men’s Premier League champions Kenya Ports Authority crushed Ulinzi Warriors 92-69 as they hit back to level their playoff  semi-final series at 1-1 on Sunday.

KPA had lost Game One 82-69 but the day earlier but turned tables on Ulinzi with a dominant display at the Makande Gymnasium in Mombasa.

Ulinzi’s Eric Mutoro splashed 29 points to lead the scoring but his heroics were unable to drag Ulinzi past KPA who were sparked by Ariel Okall 26-points display.

The Dockers dominated three quarters with the soldiers winning one. They started off well with a 25-15 win before Ulinzi came out stronger in the second quarter winning 28-17 and made them go to half time leading 43 -42 against the home team.

After the halftime the KPA didn’t want to make another mistake as they did in game one, winning third quarter 31-13 before winding it up with a 19-13 win in the last quarter.

The win left KPA ‘s head coach Samuel Ocholla with praises for his boys.

“Today our execution,defense and team work was on point, bench rotation and technical part of it was good. Now we pick on the positives rectify on the negatives as the series moves to nairobi,” Ocholla said.

On his part, Ulinzi Captain John Washika promised a come back when they host the Dockers in Nairobi.

“It was a tough loss but we live to fight another day. Now we focus on the remaining three games in Nairobi. We correct on our small lapses then we take it to the bank.” Washika said.

The two will meet for game three, four and five in Friday, Saturday and Sunday next week respectively at Nyayo Gymnasium.