Ojukwu backs lukewarm KPA to defend FIBA Zone V title

Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) women’s team head coach Anthony Ojukwu says they are picking lessons despite losing their second match on the bounce at the ongoing FIBA Zone V Championships.

KPA, who are the reigning zone five champions, lost 96-76 to APR of Rwanda in their Group B match played at the Amaan Indoor Arena, Tanzania, on Monday evening.

“We gave it our all; we tried to implement our game plan, but our opponents overpowered us intellectually and mind game.

“Nevertheless, all is not lost; it is a lesson to us, and we will organize ourselves in the upcoming fixtures,” he said.

The dockers are bidding to defend their title and, in the process, punch a ticket to represent the region in the Women's Basketball League Africa next year in Dakar, Senegal.

Ojukwu has, however, backed his charges to recover in time for the quarter-finals phase.

“I believe the girls will rise again and play well because we are already in a hole, and we need to come out of it by working extra hard in the quarters all the way to the final.

“The game was not favorable to us, but I trust my players will play well in the remaining matches,” he added.

KPA, who won silver at the inaugural WBLA in Egypt in December last year, defeated Ethiopia’s Hawassa City 128-36 on Sunday, and they qualified for the quarterfinals despite the loss against APR.

They started strong, going 7-2 ahead, but their joy was short-lived as APR took the lead at 12-9 and went on to lead 26-19 in the first period.

KPA had a good run in the second period, winning 21-17, but ended up trailing 43-40 heading to the break. 

A 26-17 run for APR in the third stanza put them 12 points ahead as they went on to kill the game with a massive 27-19 show in the final quarter for the win. 

Kamba Yoro Diakite dropped four treys to lead the scoring with 27, five more than Lucas Italee who had six three pointers.

Pellington Shaina, who made three treys, ended the game with a double-double of 21 points and 11 assists; Chanel Mokanga added a double-double of 10 points with ten rebounds. 

KPA’s new signing Alima Doumbia continued with her heroic performance scoring team high of 22 points.

Grace Irebu Malu added 21, while another signing, Nkem Akaraiwe, added 13 points.