KPA sweep Ulinzi to retain men’s KBF title

KPA are the 2018 Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) men’s champions after successfully defending their crown for a third straight year.

The Dockers needed only three matches to sweep apart Ulinzi Warriors in their best-of-five playoff final, winning 79-59 in Game Three to secure the title at the Makande Gymnasium in Mombasa.

It is the second time KPA have held on to the title for three consecutive seasons having achieved a similar feat between 1990 and 1992.

KPA squeezed to a 16-15 win in the opening quarter before going 19-16 in the second to head into half-time with a 35-31 lead. The champions then won 18-16 before putting on a 26-12 fourth quarter show to crush the Soldiers.

By virtue of finishing in the top two places, both teams will represent the country in next year’s Zone Five Championship.

“I thank God for the win. I’m happy for the effort of the team as we had agreed we were not going to give Ulinzi any chance,” KPA head coach Sammy Kiki said post-match.