Kenya's women team tops log as Ulinzi qualify for semifinals

KPA's Natalie Akinyi, left, is challenged by USIU's Goergia Adhiambo during KBF League at the Gymnasium, Nyayo National stadium on Saturday, Feb 6, 2016. PHOTO: JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD.

Kenya Ports Authority inched closer to title victory in the ongoing Fiba Africa Zone V Clubs Basketball Championship in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

KPA ambushed hosts Jeshi La Kujenga Taifa (JKT) Stars 73-41 and with that, claimed leadership of the women’s round-robin championships.

At the same time, Ulinzi Warriors were a lucky lot after they qualified for the semis. They finished second in men’s pool B with seven points.

Ulinzi’s fate lay squarely on the hands of Uganda’s City Oilers. Ulinzi were expecting the Ugandans to defeat Espoir from Rwanda for the Kenyans to make it to the last four.

And the Ugandans did Kenya the favour. They won 78-54. It was all joy for Ulinzi head coach William Balozi after that result. Qualification was beyond them, but here they were; surviving not by their might, but favours. Anyhow, they were through. City Oilers topped the pool with maximum eight points.

Ulinzi were expected to play Patriots from Rwanda in the first semifinal last night. Patriots topped men’s pool A with eight points followed by the United States International University (USIU) with seven.

USIU were to take on City Oilers in the second semi.

The KPA versus JKT Stars match was delayed for about two hours as the soldiers sought to clear their registration fees with Fiba and the Tanzania Basketball Federation.

Nonetheless, when the first whistle signaled the beginning of the match, the Kenyans knew what was expected of them. And they did not disappoint.

It was a see-saw affair, too close to call at times, but KPA wound up the first quarter 19-17.

KPA were too swift, suave and impressively alert. Captain Brenda Angeshi marshaled her troops well. Granted, KPA had players with tiny body frames, but that did not tell in their execution. They exposed their opponents with little care. JKT Stars players were made to run, sweat and struggle for most of the second quarter. They won 23-04.

The soldiers must have received some tongue lashing over the halftime break, for when play resumed for the third quarter, they were a totally different side. Buoyed by the home crowd they won 14-12.

KPA head coach Anthony Ojukwu and his assistant Phillip Onyango knew they needed to respond, fast. The Tanzanian comeback was looming and they needed to contain them. With muscles clearly wearing, the dockers maintained their cool to win 19-06.

“We did not have any intention of going full throttle in the match as we did against USIU yesterday. This is because we have a very tough game against KCCA of Uganda tomorrow,” Onyango said, when questioned on lack of flare in the match.

Ojukwu admitted JKT Stars could have had a better show, had they trained well for the championships.