Thunder’s chances of a top-four finish in the Kenya National Basketball League have been dimmed by Sunday’s loss to Kenya Ports Authority in Mombasa on Sunday, coach Sadat Gaya has said.
Gaya said the highest they can finish now is fifth which will still see them make the cut for the playoffs.
The Nairobi-based self-supporting side fell 70-64 to KPA at the Makande Welfare Hall.
“Our chances for a top-four finish ended with that defeat,” said Gaya. “We now need to focus on finishing fifth, a feat I am sure we will achieve if we remain focused.”
“I did not travel with six of my main players to Mombasa due to various reasons but I am happy with the efforts of those available for the trip.”
“Losing away to KPA by just six points shows we are still a good side. We picked so many positives and will seek to execute going forward,” added Gaya.
Thunder started slowly offensively and trailed by as much as 18 points at some point.
“We started clicking offensively and we closed the gap. KPA did a great job just running the clock down with four minutes to go. I could have made a better adjustment,” said Gaya.
Thunder are fifth on the 12-team table with 31 points, the same as Eldoret-based Eldonets Platinum. Ulinzi are top-of-the-table with 36 from 20 matches.
Thunder have two matches to the end of the season, against Kenyatta University Pirates and the University of Nairobi Terrorists.
“We will keep training hard for the remaining games and make adjustments where appropriate,” said Gaya.
Equity Bank Dumas are joint-second with Strathmore University Blades after amassing 35 points.
