Equity Bank Dumas coach David Maina has promised extensive preparations as they head for the Kenya National Basketball Federation playoff finals against Kenya Ports Authority this weekend.
After whipping Ulinzi Warriors 90-63 in a one-sided playoff Game Four at Nyayo Stadium, the veteran tactician said they will not rest on their laurels as they seek a first national title.
“It is a good feeling when you look at our journey. We’ll continue from where we have left tonight. There will be no rest as we need to prepare for the final,” said Maina.
“Our halftime talk was, don’t let the guards down. It happened the previous day and we were not ready to see that happen again.”
Dumas lost Game Three 68-66.
Maina said an astute defence and control at the boards were key in the encounter. The bankers led 52-26 at the break but the soldiers had a solid third quarter with a 26-25 advantage.
“By the time we went to half-time, we had a slim lead and that gave our opponents more hope to snatch the win. I know being our first time (in the final) makes underdogs but we are ready to challenge,” said Maina.
Equity raced to a 21-17 first-quarter lead and went to the break with a huge 52-26 advantage. Upon resumption, the winners exploded for a big 31-point difference to easily carry the day.
There were nine lead changes and two ties in this match that was watched by a sizeable crowd including cabinet secretaries for Youth Affairs, Sports and Arts Ababu Namwamba and his Information, Communication and Digital Economy counterpart Eliud Owalo.
Faheem Juma led the charts with 18 points followed by Lension Kisia (16), James Mwangi (14) and Victor Ochieng (11) for Dumas who drained nine of their 24 three-point shots. Warriors had 15 from Eric Mutoro, 14 from Stephen Simiyu and 13 from William Ochieng.
At the Makande Welfare Hall in Mombasa, KPA dispatched visiting Thunder 60-51 in a closely-fought duel. Both giants were deadlocked 27-27 at halftime. KPA took the third quarter 18-8 while Thunder went 16-15 up in the last.
Eugene Adera scored 14 points, Victor ‘Jet’ Odendo continued to defy age as he sunk 13 and Lennox Wanje added 11 for the winners. Thomas Kioko had 17 for Thunder as Griffin Ligare hit 10.
In the Lower Division, Snipers defeated Strathmore University 69-61 to even the series 2-2. The decisive Game Five will be held this weekend.
