Basketball: KBF orders KPA vs Equity semifinal replay

KPA's John Wijas during warm down before a KBF Premeir League match in Kisumu.[Washington Onyango,Standard]

Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) has ordered the replay of the abandoned men’s Premier League Game Five semi-final match between Kenya Port Authority (KPA) and Equity Bank Dumas at Makande Gymnasium in Mombasa.

This is after both teams were found culpable of flouting the competition rules in the match which was played on February 14 last week.

With KPA leading 66-54, the game was abandoned with 59 seconds left to full time after Equity Bank players declined to continue with play after crowd trouble.

According to a letter signed by KBF Secretary-General Ambrose Kisoi, the replay will be behind closed doors with only team members and officials allowed in the match venue.

The federation said in part that KPA went against Clause 16 (b) of KBF League and Competition Rules by failing to provide adequate security being the hosting team.

“Following deliberations of the League and Competitions Committee virtual meeting on 16th February 2022, it was resolved that the two teams simultaneously flouted the rules 16 (b) of the KBF League and Competition Rules for KPA and Article 20 (20.1.3) of FIBA Official Basketball Rules for Equity.

“Therefore, the game will be repeated at Makande, Mombasa and attended by the only official members of the teams stipulated in the League and Competition Rules,” the statement read in part.

This development comes as a massive blow to KPA who had staged a spirited comeback to level the series at 2-2 in Game Three and Four (81-66 and 75-56) and thought they had qualified despite Equity walk out.

Equity were on the verge of sweeping into the final after winning the opening two games (64-54 and 78-66) of the five-game series only for KPA to turn the tables on their rivals.

KBF Secretary-general Ambrose Kisoi disclosed that the replay will be played this coming weekend.