KNBL: ‘It wasn’t easy, but worth it’… as Zetech, Equity Dumas qualify for semis playoffs

Zetech Sparks head coach Maurice Obilo has admitted that it was not an easy walk in the park for the students to qualify for the semi-final of the Kenya National Basketball Women’s Premier League (KNBL), after seeing off Storms in their quarter-final match.

Sparks, who shocked many last season to reach the final for the first time but failed to clinch the title, qualified for the semis after a 2-0 win in the quarter-final playoff played in best-of-three series at Nyayo Gymnasium, after winning Game Two 58-37 over the weekend, a week after defeating the same side 77-26 in Game One.

“The quarter-final playoffs were competitive, we really pushed ourselves to go past Storms. We did most of the things we wanted to do correctly to win the quarter-final,” said Obilo.

However, Obilo whose side won the Invitational Eliud Owalo Tournament last month that brought together elite premier league clubs has now shifted focus to the semis playoffs, where they will face giants Equity Hawks starting next weekend.

“The preparation will start this week focusing on the few things we need to correct heading to the semis. The girls are okay, I can say the girls are decent and they are ready,” noted Obilo.

“The mentality, attitude has changed knowing that these are playoffs, so they are good to go. We will push ourselves and give the best show we can give and hopefully we come out victorious,” he added.

Obilo’s sentiments were echoed by men’s league side Equity Dumas head coach, Carrey Odhiambo, whose side also qualified for the semis after a 2-0 win in quarter-final playoffs series.

The Bankers won Game Two over the weekend 81-71, after winning Game One 72-64 a week ago and they will face unbeaten side Nairobi City Thunder in the semi-final playoffs

“It was a tough match, very physical and winning the playoffs was a very good thing for us. We prepared very well for them. We fought well, we have been having issues at the end of the game, something we need to work on moving forward,” Odhiambo said.

Odhiambo admitted it would not be an easy encounter in the semi-final playoff against unbeaten Nairobi City Thunder, who have beaten them four times this year.

“Thunder is a great opponent, something we need to work on including mentality moving forward; mentality of a lion and that we need to be tough and roar in the jungle of basketball,” averred Odhiambo.

Weekend Playoffs Results

Zetech Sparks 58-37 Storms 26-77 – WP - Game Two  

Equity Dumas 81-71 Ulinzi Warriors – MP - Game Two

Strathmore Blades 77-55 USIU Tigers – MP - Game Two