Dumas coach Lubarov sings Blades praises after weekend test

Equity Dumas head coach Joseph Lubarov has praised Strathmore Blades for putting up a spirited performance despite his side claiming victory in their National Men’s Basketball Premier League clash over the weekend.

The bankers defeated Strathmore Blades 83-71 in a high-scoring encounter staged at Nyayo Gymnasium, Nairobi, marking Equity’s return to action after a month-long break from competitive basketball.

Despite emerging victorious, Lubarov admitted his side had to work hard for the result, highlighting the challenge posed by the students throughout the game. He particularly commended Blades’ intensity and tactical approach, noting that they caused his team problems in key moments of the contest.

“Strathmore players were absolutely on fire in the first quarter and they also stepped up defensively. It’s the kind of game where we feel we probably could have scored even more. Even though we shot poorly, we still managed to stay in the game and maintain our performance,” said Lubarov.

At the same time, the soft-spoken tactician pointed to inconsistency in the league schedule as a challenge affecting teams’ performances, arguing that frequent breaks have disrupted rhythm and preparations across the competition.

His remarks came as Equity returned to action after spending four weeks without a competitive fixture. Lubarov noted that his side had also faced difficulties with training arrangements and interruptions to their schedule.

“Before the break, we had a couple of tough games. Even before that, there was another break where we faced a lot of inconsistency with our training facilities and our game schedule. We still have one more game coming up on Friday, if the schedule remains unchanged, and this period has been quite demanding. We now hope to build on this performance and continue with the positive momentum,” he added.

The victory handed Equity valuable points in their league campaign, with the Dumas now sitting on 15 points after playing 10 matches, having won five and lost five.

Equity Dumas will conclude their first-leg campaign when they face Ulinzi Warriors this Friday at Nyayo Gymnasium as they seek to carry forward the momentum from their latest victory.

Meanwhile, Strathmore Blades, despite suffering defeat, showed encouraging signs with a performance that pushed one of the league’s stronger sides for long spells of the game.

Strathmore Blades 60-79 Nairobi City Thunder- MP

UoN Dynamites 70-65 Safe Spaces- WP

TH 3 SWISH 95-56 Dream Girls- WP

Lady Titans 21-72 Equity Hawks- WP

USIU Flames 51-54 Stanbic Aces- WP

Stanbic Shields 81-57 ANU Wolfpacks- MP

Equity Dumas 83-71 Strathmore Blades- MP

USIU Flames 66-74 Strathmore Swords – WP

Zetech Sparks 46-39 Safe Spaces- WP

ANU Wolfpacks 75-69 UON Terror- MP

Ulinzi Warriors 62-64 Moischers – MP