04 November 2013

KENYA : Co-op Bank, Eagle Wings in playoffs semis

   
  • Co-operative Bank in a past match.(Photo:SNA File)
Men premier defending champions Co-operative Bank and their women counterparts Eagle Wings are well on course to retaining their basketball titles after easing through to the playoff semifinals over the weekend.
The two teams were the main focus as the national classic league playoffs kicked off with quarterfinal matches. With this year’s last eight matches being played on a best-of-three series, the bankers and Wings sailed through with a replica 2-0 series win.
Wings had an easy task getting past Western Delight in 66-36 and 70-23 wins. Co-op Bank beat Thunder 73-54 on Friday and 79-63 on Saturday evading game three.
In the semis, the Carey Odhiambo charges will play the winner of game three between Strathmore University and USIU-A.
On Saturday, USIU beat Strathmore 71-62 before the latter tied the series Sunday with a 60-43 win.
Both teams return to the court Monday night to determine the winner. Kenya Ports Authority, KPA, registred a 2-0 series win over surprise package Nairobi Aviation College.
The Dockers narrowly escaped with a 76-74 win on Saturday before settling the series later Sunday with a 71-50 victory. The Coastal side will play Team Lions in the semifinals.
Lions survived an early setback to register a 2-1 comeback win over Ulinzi Warriors. The soldiers won game one 67-65 on Friday night but Lions proved a hard nut to crack in games two and three winning 96-77 and 72-52 respectively.
Last year’s women premier runners-up USIU-A put up a brave fight to eliminate 2012 semifinalists Co-operative Bank 2-0. The students won game one 71-50 on Saturday and game two 67-59 later Sunday to book a semifinal berth.
Strathmore and Storms to play in decider
Strathmore University and Sprite Storms are tied on one game each with the decider set for Wednesday.
Storms had carried the day in game one winning 39-37 but the students resilience saw them level on Sunday after a 50-45 win.
Mombasa-based KPA has already qualified for the semifinals.
Equity Bank, Strathmore University, Kenya Airports Authority and Kenyatta University Pirates have all qualified for the division one semi final playoffs. Pirates eliminated Umoja while Equity brushed aside Zetech College.
KAA sailed past Trailblazers with Strathmore University tossing out Little Prince. Pirates and KAA are the only semifinalists from last year while Equity and Strathmore came right from promotion to storm playoffs last four. Pirates will face off with Strathmore while Equity has a date with KAA in the semifinals.
The semifinal matches for the men premier and division one begin on Wednesday with four games per day at Kasarani. The winners to qualify for the finals will be determined in a best-of-five series with finals set to begin on November 27.
Quarterfinal Playoffs Results: Friday- Lions 65 Ulinzi 67, Co-op Bank 73 Thunder 54; Saturday- Trailblazers 72 KAA 58, KU Pirates 60 Umoja 48, Little Prince 30 Strathmore University 66, Zetech College 68 Equity Bank 70, Strathmore University 37 Storms 39, USIU Flames 71 Co-op Bank 50, Eagle Wings 66 Western Delight 36, KPA 76 Nairobi Aviation College 74, Strathmore University 62 USIU Tigers 71, Thunder 63 Co-op Bank 79, Lions 96 Ulinzi 77; Sunday- Umoja 48 KU Pirates 50, Western Delight 23 Eagle Wings 70, Co-op Bank 59 USIU Flames 67, Storms 45 Strathmore University 50, KAA 72 Trailblazers 64, Nairobi Aviation College 50 KPA 71, USIU Tigers 43 Strathmore University 60, Lions 72 Ulinzi 52;
Quarterfinals Game Three: Men- Strathmore University vs USIU Tigers (Monday, 8pm); Women- Storms vs Strathmore University (Wednesday, 5pm); Semifinal Fixtures: Division One- Equity Bank vs KAA, Strathmore University vs KU Pirates; Men Premier- Co-operative Bank vs Strathmore/USIU-A, Lions vs KPA.

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