Roaring Warriors maul KPA, inch closer to KBF final

Ulinzi Warriors have one foot in the Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) men Premier League final after outclassing champions Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) 85-74 in Game Three semis clash staged at the Nyayo Gymnasium in Nairobi.

KPA began strongly winning the first quarter 25-11 but their efforts came to naught in the second, third and fourth quarters where they were completely dominated by the Warriors who claimed 20-15 , 28-10 and 26-24 victories.

Out of the two left, Ulinzi now needs only one win to qualify for the final while KPA need to win both matches to guarantee them a place in this year’s final.

Ulinzi had won Game One 82-69 while KPA had won Game Two 92-69.

“We started on a low note but I went back to drawing board and told my boys to play man to man which KPA couldn’t hold,” Ulinzi coach William Balozi said of the tactical change that saw his side claim a pivotal victory. “We wish to win tomorrow’s game (Saturday) to seal the deal.”

Ulinzi captain John Washika attributed the win to their tight defensive approach.

“In Mombasa they scored most of their points during transition, so we decided to play defensive and contain fouls,” Washika added.

KPA assistant head coach Samuel Ocholla was a disappointed man after the defeat but promised a different game when the two sides collide Saturday and Sunday at the same venue.

“We started well but substitutions cost us as those who came off the bench didn’t add much value as we expected but we expect a tough match as they will be looking for a win tomorrow to qualify while on our side we are wounded and we will come with nothing but a win in our minds,” Ocholla said, offering his side’s desire to bounce back in Saturday’s contest primed to tip off from 4pm at the same venue.

Meanwhile, Thunder men basketball team have one foot in to the final of the league after crushing EMYBA 77-68 in Game Three of the semis at Nyayo Gymnasium in Nairobi on Friday.

Thunder had lost 80-83 in Game One on Friday last week and won 80-71 in Game Two against the tough EMYBA.

Thunder dominated three quarters while EMYBA won one.

Thunder started off well with a 20-15 win before EMYBA shocked them in the second quarter with 24-09 with EMYBA going to half time leading 39-29.

Thunder took charge in the second half winning 26-11 and 22-18 in the third and fourth quarters respectively.

Despite the victory Thunder head coach Sadat Gaya was not convinced with results noting that they have to rectify their mistakes in Saturday’s match.

“We didn’t play well as a team offensively, we depended on Faheem’s individual brilliance, defensively in the second half we were good but we need improvement,” Thunder coach Sadat said after the victory.

The two sides meet again in game four and five set for Saturday and Sunday this week in that order.

Saturday

G4: Thunder VS EMYBA- 2pm

G4: Ulinzi VS KPA- 4pm

Sunday

G5: Ulinzi VS KPA- 2pm

G5: Thunder VS EMYBA- 4pm