KPA, Equity Hawks set up all-Kenyan WBLA quarter-final

Kenyan sides Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) and Equity Hawks have set up an all-Kenyan quarter-final clash at the ongoing Women’s Basketball League Africa (WBLA) Zone Five Qualifiers in Tanzania after closing their group-stage campaigns with convincing victories.

KPA defeated hosts Fox Divas 90-60 in Group A to finish second with five points from two wins and one loss. Equity Hawks, meanwhile, beat fellow Tanzanian side Vijana Queens 75-41 in Group B to finish third with four points after recording one win and two defeats.

The two sides will now meet in the quarter-finals, with a place in the semi-finals at stake.

KPA set the pace against Fox Divas from the opening quarter, taking it 23-13 before producing a dominant 27-13 second quarter to head into the break with a commanding 50-26 lead.

The Dockers maintained their advantage after the restart, winning the third quarter 25-20 before edging the final period 15-14 to seal a 30-point victory.

Shooting guard Babra Diana and guard Alima Doumbia led KPA’s scoring effort, combining for 29 points.

Equity Hawks were equally impressive against Vijana Queens, taking the opening quarter 14-8 before extending their lead with a 23-10 second-quarter performance to go into halftime ahead 37-18.

The Bankers continued to control the contest after the break, winning the third quarter 23-14 and the fourth 15-9 to complete a comfortable 75-41 win.

Centre Lavin Auma led Equity’s charge with an outstanding 25 points, while Taudencia Oluoch and MaryLisa Omondi contributed a combined 25 points.

Both teams will now turn their attention to the knockout stage, where their quarter-final showdown guarantees Kenya a representative in the semi-finals.

The clash also offers the two sides an opportunity to build on their winning momentum as they pursue qualification from the regional qualifiers.