Review: Gaya thankful for narrow win over formidable Equity

Thunder men’s basketball team coach Sadat Gaya has praised his charges for holding their nerves to edge rivals Equity Bank 76-67, at University of Nairobi grounds in the Kenya Basketball Premier League.

Gaya is thankful for the narrow win, saying it was a tight duel which could have gone either way.

“It was a tight game which could have gone either way. Some of their key players fallen out and we took advantage of that to defeat them,” he said.

Gaya added that failure to appear for the contest of his two former players also had a hand in the win

“Two of my former players they signed (Shem Otieno and Kevin Chogo) did not play and it was a reprieve for us,” Gaya added.

Thunder and Equity are now on 10 points each, after playing seven matches winning three and losing four while Equity have so far played six matches winning four and losing two.

Thunder dominated three quarters winning quarter one, two and three 16-11, 21-16 and 31-23, respectively – only  losing 17-08 in the second quarter.

Elsewhere defending champions Ulinzi Warriors hammered KU Pirates 60-39 to continue their dominance in the league with one game to go in the first leg.

Head coach William Balozi says his players exhibited a high level of concentration in the match, their secret for the huge win.

The Warriors have now won nine and lost one game in the first leg with the remaining game against heavyweight Kenya Ports Authority.

“It wasn’t a bad match, the players remain focused as we go for the final first leg match against KPA,” he said.

The first quarter ended in 11-11 draw before the soldiers rediscovered their mojo to smash the Pirates 19-06 in the second quarter. In the third quarter the warriors won 14-08 before winding up with a narrow win of 16-14 in the last quarter.

The Warriors have now won nine and lost one game in the first leg with the remaining game against heavyweight Kenya Ports Authority.

Ulinzi continue to top the league with 19 points after 10 matches while KU Pirates are second last on the table.

Meanwhile Strathmore’s Blades suffered a heavy defeat in the hands of newcomers in the league Terror, 37-52.