Basketball playoffs: KPA crush Equity Dumas in semifinal opener

Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) made a strong start to their National Men’s Basketball Premier League semifinal playoff campaign after defeating Equity Dumas 87-56 in Game One at Nyayo Gymnasium, Nairobi on Wednesday night.

The Dockers took control from the opening quarter, racing to a 25-16 lead before Equity Dumas responded in the second period, narrowly edging KPA 15-14. KPA, however, went into the halftime break with a 39-31 advantage.

KPA returned from the break in dominant fashion, producing a commanding 30-11 third-quarter performance to stretch their lead and effectively put the game beyond the bankers’ reach.

The Dockers completed the victory with an 18-14 fourth-quarter score to seal a 31-point win.

The two sides will meet again on Thursday in Game Two at the same venue from 6pm, with Equity Dumas seeking to level the best-of-five series.

KPA will then host the remaining games in Mombasa, with Games Three, Four and Five scheduled for Saturday, Sunday and Monday respectively.

The Dockers now need two wins from the remaining four games to secure a place in the championship final. Should they win Game Two on Thursday and Game Three in Mombasa, the series will end without the need for Games Four and Five.