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
Struggling USIU Tigers hunt for elusive points - 1 month ago
POSTED BY:
EUROBASKET NEWS
follow us on
United States International University of Africa (USIU-A) Tigers will return to the Kenya Basketball Federation men's Premier League action with two tough matches at Nyayo National Stadium Gymnasium this weekend. The Tigers, who are handled by Kenya's men's national team coach Cliffe Owuor take on Kenya College of Accountancy-University on Saturday at 4pm before walking a tight rope against fellow varsity students Strathmore University Blades on Sunday at 4pm [read more]
United States International University of Africa (USIU-A) Tigers will return to the Kenya Basketball Federation men's Premier League action with two tough matches at Nyayo National Stadium Gymnasium this weekend. The Tigers, who are handled by Kenya's men's national team coach Cliffe Owuor take on Kenya College of Accountancy-University on Saturday at 4pm before walking a tight rope against fellow varsity students Strathmore University Blades on Sunday at 4pm. Before facing the Tigers, the Blades will have a date with Umoja today at 2:30pm. Thirty-two first leg matches are lined up at four venues; Nairobi, Nakuru, Kisumu and Kakamega as teams battle to garner crucial points to earn them a slot in the top eight play-offs at the end of regular season. Ulinzi Warriors were the first team to end their 11 matches of the men's Premier League first leg last weekend. The soldiers top the table standings with 21 points after winning 10 matches and losing only one. Pressure will be on the USIU-A Tigers, who are bottom on the 12-team table standings with five points, to regain their fast fading glory having only won one match and lost three. They beat stubborn Umoja 65-62 in their last assignment after losing 50-55 to Ulinzi Warriors. Blades, on the other hand, have won three matches and lost three. They will be battling to register victory to improve on their current eighth position with nine points. Courtesy of: nation.co.ke
Ulinzi Warriors ended their campaign in first leg of Kenya Basketball Federation men's Premier League with two consecutive victories at Nyayo National Stadium Gymnasium at the weekend. On Sunday, the soldiers completed their 11-match programme with a deserved 64-39 win over Lakeside from Kisumu. On Saturday, Khaemba Situma scored 17 points while John Washika added 13 to help the Kenya Defence Forces side shoot down Eldonets 65-44. Ulinzi coach William Balozi said: 'I am satisfied with the... [read more]
Ulinzi Warriors ended their campaign in first leg of Kenya Basketball Federation men's Premier League with two consecutive victories at Nyayo National Stadium Gymnasium at the weekend. On Sunday, the soldiers completed their 11-match programme with a deserved 64-39 win over Lakeside from Kisumu. On Saturday, Khaemba Situma scored 17 points while John Washika added 13 to help the Kenya Defence Forces side shoot down Eldonets 65-44. Ulinzi coach William Balozi said: 'I am satisfied with the performance. It keeps us right up their on the table top as we plot for our second leg run. In Mombasa, Kenya Ports Authority defeated stubborn Umoja 60-43 at their Makande hall. Umoja took a 9-05 first quarter lead but the home side rallied to get ahead 23-17 at the break. Victor Odendo, Brian Ochola, Job Byron and Gerry Wekesa played well for KPA as Nick Ogol and Mike Juma led Umoja's onslaught. Job Byron was KPA's top scorer with 14 points while Victor Odendo and Paul Ekiru had 11 and eight points respectively with Nick Ogol contributing 12 for Umoja. Courtesy of: nation.co.ke
Warriors up against World Hope in basketball league - 2 months ago
POSTED BY:
EUROBASKET NEWS
follow us on
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
WARNING:
Do not copy, redistribute, publish or otherwise exploit information that you download from the site !
Do not encumber, license, modify, publish, sell, transfer or transmit, or in any way exploit, any of the
content of the site, nor will you attempt to do so.
