22 December 2014
KENYA : KPA ends 23 years wait for league title
Anthony Ojukwu instructs his players in aoneof the play-off matches against Ulinzi. He guided KPA to their first men\'s title in 23 years. (Photo by Shutterspeed)
Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) quenched
their thirst for a first men's premier league title in 23 years on
Saturday when they beat Ulinzi Warriors 71-59 in the playoffs final game
four.
This was the first title for KPA since 1991 and their fourth overall after previous wins in 1987, 1990 and 1991. They won game one 68-67 before Ulinzi tied the series in game two winning 70-57.
However, KPA took charge by winning game three 71-59 which was identical with Saturday’s win.
Tobias Onyango and Ariel Okal were the pillars for KPA playing for 32:23 and 33:55 minutes respectively but the win did not come easy. The Dockers trailed 22-29 at halftime after winning first quarter 11-9 and Ulinzi the second 23-11. The third quarter ended in a 13-all tie ensuring Ulinzi maintained their seven points lead but the fourth quarter proved the real turning point for KPA.
It was high scoring as they won 36-17 and the absence of injured Ancete Wafula proved costly for Ulinzi. Only nine players turned up for Ulinzi with Mike Tanui who played for 35:32 and Victor Odendo at 36:45 doing the donkey work for the soldiers.
Onyango top scored for KPA with 16 points, six rebounds and two steals while Alex Lugasi scored 12 points and grabbed one rebound. Okal who was named the most valuable player had 12 rebounds and one assist.
Bernard Mufutu was the top scorer for Ulinzi with 15 points, one rebound and 2 assists while Odendo scored 12 points with 10 rebounds, two assists and one steal.
In the game, the teams exchanged the lead three times and tied thrice. KPA had 11 points from turnovers while Ulinzi had 12, scored 28 from the paint against Ulinzi’s 26 and was generally superior in shooting.
Zetech University won the division one title sweeping away Umoja 3-0 in series win. Zetech were rewarded for a consistent play and will now feature in the men's premier league next season together with Umoja.
This was the first title for KPA since 1991 and their fourth overall after previous wins in 1987, 1990 and 1991. They won game one 68-67 before Ulinzi tied the series in game two winning 70-57.
However, KPA took charge by winning game three 71-59 which was identical with Saturday’s win.
Tobias Onyango and Ariel Okal were the pillars for KPA playing for 32:23 and 33:55 minutes respectively but the win did not come easy. The Dockers trailed 22-29 at halftime after winning first quarter 11-9 and Ulinzi the second 23-11. The third quarter ended in a 13-all tie ensuring Ulinzi maintained their seven points lead but the fourth quarter proved the real turning point for KPA.
It was high scoring as they won 36-17 and the absence of injured Ancete Wafula proved costly for Ulinzi. Only nine players turned up for Ulinzi with Mike Tanui who played for 35:32 and Victor Odendo at 36:45 doing the donkey work for the soldiers.
Onyango top scored for KPA with 16 points, six rebounds and two steals while Alex Lugasi scored 12 points and grabbed one rebound. Okal who was named the most valuable player had 12 rebounds and one assist.
Bernard Mufutu was the top scorer for Ulinzi with 15 points, one rebound and 2 assists while Odendo scored 12 points with 10 rebounds, two assists and one steal.
In the game, the teams exchanged the lead three times and tied thrice. KPA had 11 points from turnovers while Ulinzi had 12, scored 28 from the paint against Ulinzi’s 26 and was generally superior in shooting.
Zetech University won the division one title sweeping away Umoja 3-0 in series win. Zetech were rewarded for a consistent play and will now feature in the men's premier league next season together with Umoja.
# posted by afrbk : 15:03
