Eldoret-based Eldonets were on Saturday crowned the new 2018 Kenya Basketball Federation men's Division One League champions. Eldonets defeated Emyba 73-64 in Game Three of the best-three series play-offs final to be declared champions on a 3-0 sweep. Eldonets had made a good start at home by winning their two opening matches to lead 2-0 before the series moved to Nairobi for the last three matches. They won Game One and Game Two 86-85 respectively to enhance their chances of claiming their first ever lower tier league title. Eldonets and Emyba both qualified for promotion to next year's men's Premier League by virtue of playing in the play-offs final. On Saturday, Eldonets, who also made history after becoming the first team from North Rift to qualify for the Premier League, withstood early pressure from their hosts to lead 20-19 at the end of hotly contested first quarter. Led by experienced Frankline Omwaka (186-G-78), John Biur and James Ongwae, Eldonets defied the pressure from Emyba, who needed to win to avoid a 3-0 knocked out, to race a deserved 40-32 lead the break. Emyba, who fielded experienced players Joseph Ondinyo, Emmanuel Ekai and Richard Otieno, fought hard to cut down the scores 62-65 with two minutes 15 seconds to go. The match had high tension in the last one minute and 15 seconds with chief crew Diana Mayaka penalizing Emyba coach Brian Busu for a disorderly bench and forward Erick Odhiambo. After Emyba's Thomas Kioko missed to convert two free throws at the critical moment, Eldonets pinned down their hosts as Maxwell Kevogo and Jeremiah Alivais made good use of the last chances to score baskets that steered their team into victory. Hardworking John Biur scored 16 points and James Ongwae 10 for Eldonets, while Thomas Kioko replied with game-high 22 points and team-mate Brian Sambayi shot 11 for the the losers. Eldonets coach Maurice Ouma said: "We were sure of a 3-0 sweep after having comfortably won two matches at home. We beat an experienced team with players who had featured in the Premier League before with top clubs. "We intend to recruit players to cope with the Premier League next year which is more physical than the lower tier. Emyba coach Brian Busu said: "We lost to a better team after having narrowed our chances by failure to win Game Two in Eldoret which costed us." Eldonets eliminated Pirates 3-0 in the semi-final, while Emyba knocked out Terrorists 3-1 to qualify for the final. Courtesy of: nation.co.ke
Warriors up against World Hope in basketball league - 13 days ago
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Ulinzi Warriors are out to extend their good run in the Kenya Basketball Federation men's Premier League title when they play underdogs World Hope at United States International University of Africa (USIU-A) grounds in Ruaraka from 4.30pm on Saturday. Last year's losing finalists Ulinzi Warriors start as favourites to win against the struggling World Hope. The soldiers won four straight first leg matches before crashing 68-55 to Thunder last weekend but the team, coached by William Balozi... [read more]
Ulinzi Warriors are out to extend their good run in the Kenya Basketball Federation men's Premier League title when they play underdogs World Hope at United States International University of Africa (USIU-A) grounds in Ruaraka from 4.30pm on Saturday. Last year's losing finalists Ulinzi Warriors start as favourites to win against the struggling World Hope. The soldiers won four straight first leg matches before crashing 68-55 to Thunder last weekend but the team, coached by William Balozi , recovered to defeat USIU-A Tigers 55-50 in a subsequent match, proving that they are top contenders to reclaim the league title they last won three years ago. World Hope were humiliated 51-48 by Kenya College of Accountancy-University but they rediscovered their winning ways to upset Umoja 67-56 last weekend. Ulinzi Warriors will rely heavily on newly-recruited shooting guard Victor Bosire, Joseph Khaemba (180-PG-91), forward James Mwangi and veteran John Washika as they seek two crucial first leg points. Ulinzi team manager Stephen Bartilol said: 'It was a bad day for us to lose unbeaten record and after working on our weak areas. We missed the services of forward Alvin Nyangweso, who is now back to boost the team attack." Ulinzi will travel to Mombasa to meet champions KPA next weekend. In its remaining first leg fixtures, Ulinzi will play Eldonets, Lakeside and Emyba before the first leg ends on May 5. Courtesy of: nation.co.ke
Ulinzi's unbeaten run under threat in basketball league - 19 days ago
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Ulinzi Warriors' unbeaten run in the Kenya Basketball Federation men's Premier League comes under threat on Saturday when they lock horns with Thunder at United States International University Africa at 4.30pm. The season enters the fourth week, with 24 first-leg matches on the cards at the same venue on Saturday and Sunday. Double courts and 'A' and 'B' will be used to accommodate congested fixtures with the opening two matches starting at 9am and the last from 4.30pm. Ulinzi Warriors be... [read more]
Ulinzi Warriors' unbeaten run in the Kenya Basketball Federation men's Premier League comes under threat on Saturday when they lock horns with Thunder at United States International University Africa at 4.30pm. The season enters the fourth week, with 24 first-leg matches on the cards at the same venue on Saturday and Sunday. Double courts and 'A' and 'B' will be used to accommodate congested fixtures with the opening two matches starting at 9am and the last from 4.30pm. Ulinzi Warriors beat Umoja 78-63 last weekend for a fourth straight win and lead the 12-team table on eight points. Ulinzi, coached by William Balozi , have so far registered victories against Equity Bank, KCA-U, Strathmore University Blades and Umoja. The Eastleigh-based soldiers, who will wind up their two-match programme against hosts USIU-A Tigers on Sunday, got a big boost by signing shooting guard Victor Bosire, and forward Joseph Mwangi from reigning champions Kenya Ports Authority, and towering forward Alvin Nyangweso, formerly of USIU-A Tigers. Team manager Stephen Bartilol said: "We have trained together for a week and nothing will stop us from keeping our clean run going. We respect Thunder, whom we eliminated 3-2 in the play-off semi-final last season after recovering from two games down." He said the return of seasonal Tiberius Menya and Byron Mabonga from official duties have also beefed up their squad as they bid to reclaim the title they last won in 2015. Thunder on the other hand cannot be underrated because of their ability to turn up in big matches. Thunder will be fielding experienced former Ulinzi Warriors dangerous forward Ancette Wafula, veteran shooting guard Griffins Ligare and power forward Kevin Chogo. Thunder shocked champions KPA 88-76 at their backyard in Mombasa in the second week of the season to sound a warning to their opponents. On Sunday, Thunder, who finished third after defeating Strathmore University Blades 61-58 in the classification match last year, will start as favourites when they entertain World Hope. World Hope registered a morale-boosting 58-55 win over USIU-A Tigers in their last assignment and are scheduled to play their weekend opener against KCA-U on Saturday. Blazers will meet coach Waringo Gitau's Pirates while Strathmore University to face fellow students Raira University at 10.30am. Equity Bank will heavily rely on Feisal Aden as they confront newly promoted Emyba in another men's Premier League showdown. Emyba, spearheaded by Thomas Kioko, edged out rivals Eldonets 73-71, who defeated them 3-0 in last year's men's Division One play-offs final, last weekend. In Saturday's women's Premier League matches, reigning champions Equity Bank take on underdogs Kenyatta University Oryx at 12pm. Storms will play two tough outings against Strathmore University on Saturday before they meet unpredictable Zetech University on Sunday. Storms grabbed the third position last year following their 53-41 victory over Strathmore University Swords in their classification play-offs encounter. Newly promoted coach Juma Kent's University of Nairobi Dynamites, who made a comeback in the top flight competition after 22 years, will meet Tangit Sparks formerly Masaku Sparks on Sunday at 9am. Sunday's lower tier highlight will pit Little Prince against 4 Christ while Trailblazers tackle Blazers. Kenya Airports Authority will lock horns with Terrorists while Zetech University have a date with Kenya Defence Forces Morans. Courtesy of: nation.co.ke
Kenya Ports Authority swept aside bitter rivals Ulinzi Warriors 3-0 with a 75-59 Game three victory to retain the Kenya Basketball Federation men's Premier League crown at the KPA hall Makande on Saturday. This happened as their women counterparts saw off Storms 75-57 in game three in Mombasa for 3-0 result in the semi finals to book a final date with Equity Bank, who dismissed Strathmore Swords 3-0 in the other semi final. In Saturday's tension charged eventful Game three, which was marr... [read more]
Kenya Ports Authority swept aside bitter rivals Ulinzi Warriors 3-0 with a 75-59 Game three victory to retain the Kenya Basketball Federation men's Premier League crown at the KPA hall Makande on Saturday. This happened as their women counterparts saw off Storms 75-57 in game three in Mombasa for 3-0 result in the semi finals to book a final date with Equity Bank, who dismissed Strathmore Swords 3-0 in the other semi final. In Saturday's tension charged eventful Game three, which was marred with several stoppages, KPA's Victor Bosire top scored with 19 points as they led 16-15 in the first quarter and 19-17 in the second for a 35-31 halftime lead. The dockers stepped up the pedal for a 18-16 third quarter score line keeping the game beyond the reach of the fighting soldiers. "I want to thank the boys for the hard work, determination and team work, which has seen us win the title three years in a row", KPA team manager Chris Ogutu said after the match. Ulinzi coach William Balozi was not happy with the officiating, but conceded defeat saying they will live to fight another day. In this game, Ulinzi's James Washika scored game high 20 points, while Erick Mutoro, who had a bad day in office, scored 13. Courtesy of: nation.co.ke
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