Basketball: KPA rally from 2-0 to knock out Equity Dumas and qualify for KBF finals

KPA's John Wijas during warm down before a KBF Premeir 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.

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

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, the teams went toe to toe in the first half as only a basket separated the two as KPA lead 33-31 at the break.

KPA returned stronger in the second half to establish a 50-40 lead at the end of the third quarter before closing out the series in style with a 66-54 lead.

The match was however marred with controversies after Equity players walked out of the court with 59 second left on the clock.

KPA last won the title in 2017 and they will be out to try and end their six year drough against Ulinzi Warriors.

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

On Sunday evening, the service men came from behind to edge Blades 94-86 in overtime of game three semifinals playoffs played at Nyayo Gymnasium.