Zetech University Sparks’ coach Maurice Obilo says they are ready to confront the reigning women’s champions Kenya Ports Authority in the Kenya National Basketball League play-off finals.
The Zetech tactician remains upbeat after beating former title holders Equity Bank Hawks 70-40 to seal the best of five-game series 3-0 at Nyayo Stadium gymnasium on Saturday.
The porters equally won the series 3-0 after sending Strathmore University Swords packing 69-47 at their Makande Welfare Hall , Mombasa.
“We will definitely change a few things in the finals. We will come up with different setups to match KPA. We can’t play them the same way we played Equity Bank,” he revealed.
Having lost to Hawks in the semi-finals last year, his girls needed to believe they can do it and that was their motivating factor.“I knew we could beat them but I didn’t think we could beat them 3-0 to be honest,” Obilo offered. The arrival of centre Medina Okot from KPA was a boost to the team as it gave the girls a lot more confidence.
“We lost Debbie (Obunga) just a few weeks before Medina arrived. Debbie was a very key player in our set-up and her exit was a big blow. So the arrival of Medina was a very big boost and refreshing.”
Chantal Kiyobe registered 24 points and Okot bagged 20 for Sparks. Hawks, down 24-4 in the last stanza, had 14 from Shilalei Shani.
KPA were led by Belinda Okoth and Vilma Achieng with 14 points each while Nigeria Ifunaya Okoro hit 13. Joy Mupalia scored 12 and Margaret Aoko 10 for Swords.
KPA men torched Thunder 78-32 to go up 2-1. Martin Kitongo scored 13 points, Victor Odendo ( 11 ) and Leek Deng ( 10 ) for KPA. Derick Juma hit Thunder’s only double-figure with 14.
Ulinzi Warriors hit Equity Bank 68-66 to stay alive. Eric Mutoro scored 13 points, William Ochieng ( 11 ) and Stephen Simiyu ( 10 ) for the soldiers.
James Mwangi made 16, Faheem Juma had 11 while Moses Wanjara and Shem Otieno each tallied 10 for the bankers. Both series went to Game Four. Stanbic Bank, United States International University (USIU), and Zetech University also reached the lower division finals.
The bankers whipped Kisii University Raptors 82-43, USIU hit Strathmore University 53-39 while Zetech University clamped TH3 Swish in the ladies' cadre. In Nakuru, Cabal Elisist beat National Bank of Kenya (NBK) Phoenix 57-47 to move up 2-1.
