KCB Lions roared to their third successive national crown when they beat Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) 97-91 in an explosive play off finals Game Two match played at Nyayo National Stadium over the weekend.
This epic tie got off hours late due to the leaking roof and when it got started, it was the porters who opened the scoring with a basket by Musa Odari. But Dennis Opiyo canceled that effort with one of his own after he picked up his own miss and drove for a lay up.
Anthony Mbori made it 4-2 and Victor Odendo foul shots saw KCB up 14-4. Lions were ahead 20-9 in the first quarter. In the second quarter two rim roasting slams first by Opiyo and then Yoni Wanambiro made it 35-17 but KPA rallied and a Mike Opel basket saw the two giants went to the break with KCB up 44-40.
The last half got off as the first, with the game being held for minutes due to the rains. The furious show played before a frenzied crowd, saw Dan Okwiri bury a three pointer that brought this tie to life at 45-46 and Fred Omondi two points saw KPA regain the lead.
But again it was soon canceled by a Victor Odendo three pointer for a 49-47 Lions edge. He followed that with another three from the other wing and potted another basket that saw them regained a 10 point KCB lead at 57-47.
KPA suffered a blow after Opel was fouled out with the losers trailing 51-64. When the last quarter got under way, KPA were down 59-67. Odendo found his shooting range with yet another three at 72-65 and despite another smart KPA rally that saw them move up by a point, KCB not ready to be called ex champions pulled away mainly on shots by Odendo.
Odendo who was a no factor in the first half, but his second half shooting heroics saw him lead all scorers with 35 points. He sunk 25 in that crucial 77-67 Game One win in Mombasa. The indefatiguable guard Tobias Onyango named MVP shot 27 and Opiyo made 16 for Lions.
For KPA, who won the in augural title in 19987 and followed that with two more in 1990 and 1991 but have remained dry since. They had 19 from Odari and 17 from Okwirri and also saw their point guard Geoffrey Omondi take home the best defensive player award.
A confident Lions tactician Francis "Officer" Ngunjiri who had predicted a KCB sweep hours before the game was a happy man as he joined the club of those who have "threapeated" as champions. "I salute the boys for finishing this job early. We will continue to build this team for the coming years."
This title, the fourth for the team, will remain a precious one to KCB and their fans as they joined other who have made it three times or more before them starting with Posta (1992-94) Co-operative Bank of Kenya (1995- 1998) and Ulinzi Warriors (2002-2006).
A confident team manager George Omondi "Nyundo" did not want anything to do with decissive third game. " We have to win it today. I am going to Dar tomorrow for official duty and will not be there so I want it today." he said as he pensively from the stand.
They were prepared for it. They had their fanatic supporters fans few though they may seem, who have urged the champions on during all their matches. Honking their vuvuzelas to the delight of Lions but to the disgust of their opponents.
Dann OWERRE
FIBA Africa