• “We have a few injuries but we will give it our best shot. We are facing a great team. We respect them a lot but we will prepare accordingly for the match,” said Oketch.
• A Division One match between United States International University (USIU) Tigers and Strathmore University will start the proceedings at 6 pm.
Image: HANDOUT
Injuries have rocked Equity Bank Dumas camp ahead of their Kenya National Basketball League playoff Game One against KPA at Nyayo Stadium on Friday.
The bankers' tactician Carey ‘T9’ Oketch said three of their key players have only a fifty-fifty chance of making the team for the 8 pm encounter.
The injured include James ‘Jeymo’ and Moses ‘Mose’ Wanjara, who scored five and 14 points respectively in Game Four semifinal win over Ulinzi Warriors, as well as Cliff ‘Ocampo’ Alela.
“We have a few injuries but we will give it our best shot. We are facing a great team. We respect them a lot but we will prepare accordingly for the match,” said Oketch.
The two sides shared the spoils during the regular season, winning one game each.
KPA’s rising playmaker Lennox Wanje, who starred on his debut season last year said they will not underrate the bankers.
“This is not a regular season match. These are the finals and we will take one game at a time,” offered Wanje. “The approach will be different. From the experience I have had from last season when I played in the league for the first time, I will just do what I have been doing all along.”
For KPA to bag another title, the evergreen Victor ‘Jet’ Odendo, Job Byron, John Wiljas, Eugene Adera and Nick Ogol must play a game of their lives. Game Two is scheduled for Saturday.
A Division One match between United States International University (USIU) Tigers and Strathmore University will start the proceedings at 6 pm.
The ladies' final match pitting champions KPA against debutants Zetech University Sparks is scheduled for Saturday at the same venue.
Sparks, who dispatched former champions Ulinzi Warriors, will be no pushovers. In centre Medina Okot, they have a game changer.
KPA, who remain the favourites, will be led by Nigerian Ifunaya Okoro, Hilda Indasi, Natalie Akinyi and Belinda Okoth.
Weekend Fixtures
Friday: USIU v Strathmore University, KPA v Equity Bank Dumas.
Saturday: Cabals v Kisii University Raptors, Stanbic Shields v NBK Phoenix, Zetech University Development v USIU Flames, USIU Tigers v Strathmore University, KPA v Sparks and Equity Dumas v KPA.
Sunday: USIU v Zetech Development, NBK v Stanbic Shields, Strathmore University v USIU, Sparks v KPA