Warriors have one foot in KBF league semis playoffs

Last term’s Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) men’s Premier League first runners-up Ulinzi Warriors have one foot in the 2019 league semis playoffs after a registering a narrow away win of 80-78 against Lakeside in Kisumu at the weekend.

The Warriors were in riotous form taking no prisoners as they fought gallantly to fend off stiff challenge from the home club in a quarter final playoffs slot.

Ulinzi topped the regular league this season with 43 points, 13 points ahead of  while Kisumu at position eight.

The soldiers began well in the first quarter winning 25-22 before losing second quarter 15-17. In the second half Ulinzi pulled an upset winning 25-21 before losing 15- 18 loss in the last quarter to emerge with a two-point gap win.

Eric Mutora showed a class of his own, scoring 38 points for the Warriors while Victor Bosire scored 22 as Okitoyi. J scored 24 for Lakeside.

Speaking after the match, Ulinzi captain John Washika said the game was great despite not having some key players.

“We are going to work on the small lapses we had in order to secure a second win to qualify for the semifinals,” Washika said.

Ulinzi missed the services of James Mwangi and Alvin Nyangweso while John Washika picked up an injury but hopes to have recovered in time when they host Lakesiode in Nairobi.

Meanwhile, league newcomers Eldonets utilized their home ground advantage by humiliating last season’s semifinalist Thunder 63-53 in their Game One match played in Eldoret.

Eldonets fished the regular league with 31 points, at position seven while Thunder finished second with 41 points.

“It’s definitely a great feeling being our first time in the Premier League. We played well despite few mistakes,” Eldonets head coach Maurice Ouma said.

On his part, Thunder head coach Sadat Gaya blamed his defence for the loss.

“We struggled scoring and our defence was horrible, our opponents did what they did to protect home advantage, as the games shifts to Nairobi, we also have to return the favour or our amazing season run will be over,” Gaya warned.

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playoffs Kenya basketball league Ulinzi Warriors Lakeside

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