Byron drops 19 points as KPA dock Equity Dumas to lead KBF final series 1-0

Equity's Victor Ochieng and KPA's Job Byron (left) during KBF Premier League at the Nyayo National Stadium. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Job Byron scored a game high 19 points and seven rebounds as defending champions Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) edged out Equity Bank Dumas 62-53 to take a 1-0 lead in this year's best of five Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) Premier League playoff finals.

Eugene Adera added a double-double of 11 points and 10 rebounds followed by Martin Kitongo's eight points and seven rebounds as the Anthony Ojukwu led side took a significant away win in their race to retain the title.

The dockers started on the front foot but the hosts refued to bow in the first quarter which ended tied 18-18.

Another solid performance from the hosts looked to ice out the dockers who through their experience survived the onslaught to win 15-14 and lead by a point at the break 33-32.

Sensing blood, KPA left it all in the final two quarters 13-9 and 16-12, picking an important win away from home.

The two sides will face off in game two on Saturday (today) from 8pm at Nyayo Gymnasium.

Equity Dumas whitewashed former champions Ulinzi Warriors 3-1 ((69-58, 73-66, 66-68 and 90-63) to reach the finals as the Dockers on their side also won 3-1 against Nairobi City Thunder.