Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) have been crowned new national basketball women's champions after sealing a 3-1 playoff series victory over holders Equity Bank at the Makande Gymnasium in Mombasa.
KPA won 70-64 on Sunday to settle the five-game series and complete an impressive turnaround after having going lost the opening game in Nairobi.
Dressed in their blue jersey, the Dockers regained the trophy they lost to the Bankers in 2019 and have now emerged victorious three times in the past five seasons.
They won in 2017, 2018 and now 2021 seasons while Equity lifted the title in 2016 and 2019.
KPA maintained the same line-up that started on Saturday, with the former national team captain Hilda Indasi (173-SG-1985), Medina Okot, Natalie Akinyi (PG), Vilma Achieng (C-1994) and Selina Okumu (173-G-1993) all keeping their places.
Equity made two changes as the national team captain Melisa Akinyi and Cythia Mawero dropped to the bench to be replaced by Hilda Ndegwa and Belinda Akoth.
KPA pulled a great display in the first quarter winning 22-12 before Equity ate into that advantage with a 19-15 win the second as the hosts led 37-31 at half time.
The Dockers won the third quarter 16-13 before a late effort from the visitors yielded a 20-17 win in the final quarter but it was insufficient to take them over the line as they relinquished the championship.
Akinyi, Indasi and Okot combined for 47 points to power KPA to victory. Akinyi proved her class as the top assister with eight.
KPA's head coach Anthony Ojukwu could not hide his joy after the win.
'I am so happy for the team, after failing to win when I wasn't around I am glad we have taken back what belongs to us because the championship is always mine.
'Everything worked for me as planned even though the whole season had its own challenges including Corona Pandemic but I thank the management for always giving us support,' Ojukwu said.

Courtesy of citizen.digital