Kenya Basketball: Equity Dumas eye second spot as they face Lakeside, Eldonets

Ulinzi Warriors and Equity Dumas players in action during their KBF men's league match at Nyayo gymnasium on August 28. [Kelly Ayodi, Standard]

Equity Dumas will be targeting to move second in the Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) men's Premier League with wins against Lakeside and Eldonets Platinum at Nyayo Gymnasium this weekend.

The bankers are fourth on the log with 14 points and victory today and tomorrow will take them into the second spot and one point behind defending champions and league leaders Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) who will not be in action.

Equity have played eight matches where they have won six and lost two and they believe they can set up a thrilling second leg of the league if they win their matches against the Kisumu and Eldoret sides.

"We have a good chance this weekend to close the gap on KPA and we have to take it. Our season-long goal has always been to get to the playoffs but now we want to do it in style by finishing as high as possible for easy quarterfinals pairings," said Equity coach David Maina.

Kisumu Lakeside on the other hand are seeking to build on their first win of the season last weekend when they face off Equity today before facing Ulinzi Warriors tomorrow.

Lakeside captain Sila Awuor believes they can bag wins in Nairobi if they play with the same spirit at Nyayo. The Kisumu outfit humbled Umoja 57-41.

"Tough times for us with lack of finances to travel and cater for away matches but we will try our best to grind out results. We played well last week and I believe despite many people underrating us we can hurt teams when we play with unity and focus," said Awuor.

Other matches will see third-placed Thunder take on Eldonets Platinum and Kenyatta University Pirates.

In the women's league, Kenyatta University Oryx who are rooted at the bottom of the table will be hoping to turn around their fortunes with double wins over Strathmore University Swords and Storms today and tomorrow respectively.

Oryx have five points after winning one and losing three of their four opening matches and a victory will see them leapfrog Lady Bucks, African Nazarene University and JKUAT.

The other match will see African Nazarene University tackle JKUAT today.