Maina hails Equity for breaking jinx against KPA

Equity Bank ended their two-year drought against Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) in the Basketball Women Premier League in closely contested tie over the weekend at the USIU grounds in Nairobi.

The win, has been described as a catalyst for more exploits in the league by the Equity technical bench, as their  dreaded rivals have been a concern for years.

The former champions were on fire, sealing a 48-42 victory, ensuring a sweet revenge of the first leg loss of 77-57, when the two sides clashed in Mombasa.

Equity coach David Maina hailed his team for ‘engaging a high gear’ to sink the solid the holders, saying they outplayed themselves.

“After losing the first leg we came to this match more prepared, knowing the kind of opposition we were expecting. We had to adjust few things that we knew mattered most from the first leg loss, and we got it right.

“We started badly in the first half because we were a bit tense but in the second half my players realised it was their day, and were the better side by all standards,” told Maina.

Hildah Indasi and Belinda Akoth were the heroines of the day, scoring 14 points each to give the bankers  the sweet chew.

On their end, KPA were unable to build on Betty Kananu’s nine points in the clash to seal a second win over Equity, condemning them to their second match of the season.

KPA head coach Anthony Ojukwu said that it was not their best day in office, noting the result did not reflect the true picture of the clash.

“We played well, we lost concentration in the last minutes of the game having dominated the first three quarters of the game. We hope to improve in the remaining matches, and collect the maximum we can,” Ojukwu said.

In their second matches of the weekend, Linda Alando scored 19 points to earn Equity their another win against K.U ORYX 66-26 while KPA had a narrow win of 42-40 against Zetech University.

Things were vice versa on the men side, as defending champions Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) continued with their unbeaten record hammering Equity bank 64-52 on Saturday.

Victor Odendo and Dan Omondi scored 14 and 10 points respectively, a win that psyched up KPA to thrash Thunder 72-43 to wrap up their wins over the weekend.

Martin Kitonga was on his own class scoring 20 points of the 72 for the Dockers.

Weekend results

Saturday at USIU –Nairobi

Foot Prints 21-60 Strathmore

Equity Bank 48-42 KPA

USIU 34-51 Storms

Equity Bank 52-64 KPA

In Kisumu

Lakeside 56-71 Ulinzi

Sunday  at Usiu Nairobi

Emyba 60-66 ANU

Zetech University 40-42 KPA

K u Oryx 26-66 Equity Bank

Thunder 43-72 KPA (M)

Upper Hill 46-53 Blazers

Blades 52-45 USIU