Champions KPA soldier on in Tanzania

KPA's Selina Okumu (left) and Melisa Akinyi of Storms during KBFL at USIU grounds on Sunday Sept 2, 2018. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Defending champions Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) women’s team showed no signs of relenting as they picked an easy win in the FIBA Africa Zone Five Club Championships yesterday in Dar es Salaam.

The Kenyans lived up to their billing after hammering hosts Jeshi la Kujenga Taifa (JKT) Stars hands down  as the basketball championships continued yesterday at the National Indoor Court in Dar es salaam, Tanzania.

The win saw KPA, who are also the reigning national champions, maintain their unbeaten run and remain in contention of retaining the title for the third year in a row.

In the match watched by a sizeable crowd, KPA handed JKT a 75-43 drubbing after dominating the match from the onset.

The Tanzanian girls found themselves on the receiving end from the first quarter.

KPA won 16-4 after taking charge of the match with some quick inter-plays. Their passes were well gauged and runs well-timed.

They were at it again in the second quarter, which they won 17-9 for a comfortable 33-13 lead at halftime.

However in the third quarter, JKT Stars seemed more organised as they put up a spirited fight, denying the dockers an opportunity to cause more havoc.

Their efforts paid dividends as they took a narrow 18-17 lead  at the close of the third quarter.

Sensing danger, KPA, who are coached by Anthony Ojukwu and Philip Onyango, went back to the fourth quarter more focused and closed all loopholes in the final quarter with a soothing 25-12 victory.

JKT Stars’ highest scorer was Khadija Karambo, who bagged 14 points, while Sarah Bludodi  contributed 12 points.

KPA’s Ann Rose Mandela was the player of the day  leading with 15 points, while Mercy Wanyama  had 13 points.

Coach Ojukwu said the victory was a morale booster as they soilder on with the remaining matches before the final day on Sunday.

“As I had earlier indicated before the championships began, our aim of being in Dar es salaam is to win the title for the third year in a row,” said Ojukwu.

Meanwhile, Strathmore University continued with their poor show.

The students were thrashed 72-30 by Patriots of Rwanda. George Okoth was the highest scorer for Strathmore with six points while George Omondi and Fidel Okoth had five points each.

Daniel Ndayisaba emerged the top scorer for the Rwandese side with 14 points.