How former champions KPA defied odds to make KBF finals

 

KPA's John Wijas in a warm-up session before a KBF Premier League match in Kisumu. [Washington Onyango, Standard]

Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) men’s team will face defending champions Ulinzi Warriors in the 2021-2022 Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) Men’s Premier League playoff finals.

KPA on Monday completed their comeback after securing a 66-54 victory in Game Five of their semifinal series against Equity Bank Dumas at Makande Social Hall in Mombasa.

Despite the match being marred with controversies after Equity players walked out of the court with 59 second left on the clock, KBF confirmed KPA’s qualification for the final.

The win saw them complete a remarkable 3-2 comeback win in the best-of-five semifinal series.

“It feels great, especially being 2-0 down and coming back to win the series in front of our home crowd and fans. We give thanks and glory to God, without His grace, none of this would’ve been possible,” said KPA small forward John Wijass in an interview with Standard Sports.

“This has been the best experience so far because a lot of people had written us off but we stayed on the course and worked on the aspects of our game, which saw lose the first two games and through a collective team effort, I’m glad that it all worked out in our favour.”

KPA’s chances of advancing to this year’s finals hung in the balance after their poor start to the series

The Coast-based club headed into Game Three of the semifinals trailing 2-0 after the bankers had knocked them out in Game One and Two 78-66 and 64-54 respectively.

KPA on Sunday tied the semifinals playoffs series at 2-2 after defeating Equity Dumas 75-56 in Game Four played at KPA Makande Gymnasium.

The dockers ducked elimination by defeating Equity Bank Dumas 81-66 in a closely contested Game three on Saturday.

On Monday, Wijass who has been averaging 15 points per game all season dropped a game high 20 points to lead KPA to the finals.

“Our team is so talented and I’m personally glad that everyone embraced their roles and did it to perfection to get us this far. It is a blessing,” said Wijass who will be out to win his second KBF title after helping KPA win in 2018.

KPA last won the title in 2018 and they will be out to try and end their four-year drought against Ulinzi Warriors.

In 2018, KPA edged out Ulinzi 3-0 in the finals but the latter would end the dockers' three-year dominace in 2019 when they defeated thunder 3-1 to win the title.

No finals were played in 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Ulinzi completed a 3-0 sweep over Strathmore University Blades and are now on course to defend the title they won last season.

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