KPA teams off to a flyer in KNBL playoffs

Both KPA men and women's teams got off to a flying start in the KNBL playoffs after registering blowout wins in their opening matches of the first round at the Nyayo Gymnasium.

KPA women team drubbed ANU panthers 61-17, before their male counterparts trounced Anu wolfpacks 68-52 in the 3pm tip-off tie.

The women's side match kicked off with KPA taking a commanding lead in the first three quarters with standout contributions from Natalie Akinyi and Aminata Samassekou who dropped nine points apiece, to shut out the Anu panthers entirely.

The final quarter saw a slight improvement from the Anu Panthers outscoring KPA 11-9 with Beryl Otieno scoring 8 points, but her efforts were in vain with the gap too wide at the final buzzer.

KPA women’s head coach Antony Ojukwu expressed his satisfaction with the results as they prepare for the final two games two games of the series at home in Makande, Mombasa.

“We prepared well and the players played how we had planned. 1st round is usually not hard, we expect tough games in the semis, he said.

His ANU Panthers counterparts Michael Oluoch emphasized on the need to prepare adequately for the next match.

“The players didn't play to the expectation, we will go back to the drawing board and come up with a different approach in the remaining games,” he stated.

In the mens league KPA dominated Anu Wolfpacks in the opening three quarters, with talisman Tobias Odhiambo sinking 13 points for the dockers.

ANU Wolfpacks took charge in the final quarter with Fred Odendo scoring 7 points, but his efforts were not sufficient to close the already wide gap.

KPA head coach Sammy Kiki has termed the win as a boost to their bid for a three-peat.

“The game has been good, we prepared well, and we knew our opponents will come hard on us.

“Our aim was to win today's game so that we have an advantage in winning our home game next round.

“We will go back and start our camp so that we can correct on some of the mistakes, he explained.

The Dockers will host the next match-ups of the series this weekend at Makande Gymnasium, Mombasa.