Zetech Sparks crush Equity Hawks to reach first ever KBF final

Zetech Sparks completed a playoff sweep against giants Equity Hawks with a 71-40 thrashing in Game Three to reach the Kenya Women's Basketball Premier League final for the first time.

Zetech gave Equity who have been playing in the final since 2016 a shock of their lifetime in the five game series with the massive win and they will be facing defending champions Kenya Ports Authority in the final starting next weekend.

At exactly 5:30 PM the Nyayo Gymnasium was fully packed as basketball enthusiasts were ready to witness one of the most entertaining match between 'underdogs' Zetech Sparks and experienced Equity Hawks.

Fans drawn from all corners of the capital city ranging from adults, youth, students, kids equiped themselves with vuvuzelas ready to cheer their favorite teams in the match played under floodlights.

This was Game Three of the semifinal playoffs between the two team as Zetech came to the game leading 2-0 having won the first two matches last weekend.

The young, ambitious and determined Zetech started the game well winning first quarter 18-13 before another win of 20-12 as they went to halftime leading 38-25.

After the break, Equity came back with different energy winning 11-08 in the low scoring third quarter but Zetech had a different game plan as they withdrew Bankers energy winning fourth quarter 25-04 to leave Equity bankruptcy.

Chantal Kiyobe and Medina Okot were shining stars for the varsity side as they dropped 24 and 20 points respectively.

On their part Silalei Shani and Annerose Mandela scored 22 points combined for the bankers.

Zetech Sparks head coach was over the moon for the victory.

"I want to appreciate my girls for the good work and discipline they showed today. We knew we can beat them but not with a 3-0 sweep.

The 3-0 sweep gives the girls a lot of confidence which I believe will help them in the final as we face the defending champions. Being our first time in the semis and now final makes us very happy. It's a very hug achievement for us," Obilo said.

Elsewhere, in another semifinal played at Makande Gymnasium in Mombasa, defending champions Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) thrashed Strathmore Swords in Game Three 69-47 to qualify for the final of the Kenya women’s Premier League.

The Dockers had won Game One and Game Two last weekend 78-37 and 72-39 respectively at Nyayo Gymnasium and only needed one win to qualify and therefore ending the series 3-0 in the five game series playoffs.

KPA dominated the first half while Strathmore had a good time in the second half but it was too late as the Dockers had already cemented their place.

KPA started well, winning the first quarter 23-7 before another win of 23-13 in the second half as they took halftime lead of 46-20.

After the break, the Swords came strong, winning the third quarter 16-15 before finalizing with another win of 11-08 in the last quarter.

Ifunaya Okoro, Vilma Achieng and Okoth Belinda scored a combined 40 points for the Dockers while Joy Mpalia, Ogaji Sharon and Margaret Ayieko had 34 points for the students.

In men's premier league, KPA won their second game of the series after defeating Thunder 78-32 as they now lead 2-1 in the five game series.

The Mombasa based side now needs one win in the remaining two matches to qualify for the final.

On their part Thunder will need to win the remaining two matches for them to qualify.

The two sides will again face each tomorrow (Sunday) at the same venue for Game Four.