The premier league play off final series Game One matches will start in Mombasa this weekend with the last two games slated for Nairobi in two weeks, officials disclosed yesterday.
Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) first vice chairman Henry Shihemi clarified that "the final two games must be played in Nairobi. Only the opening game of the three match series will be in Mombasa this weekend." he said.
The mouth watering finals will therefore see Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) teams host national champions KCB Lions and Eagle Wings in the men and women category. Due to the unavailability of Makande Welfare Hall, the ties are now set for Sunday.
KPA men over the weekend rocked Africa club championships bound Co-operative Bank of Kenya 2-1 in Mombasa (55-78, 75-57 and 73-62) to qualified for the finals against Lions who shut out International Christian Center (ICC) 2-0 (81-71 and 83-53).
KPA women who are also the reigning champions dismissed United States International University (USIU) 2-0 (68-33 and 84-53) they will battle rivals Eagle Wings who demolished Eastern Queens 2-1 (63-50, 48-50 and 76-55).
KCB coach Francis "Officer" Ngunjiri and Wings tactician Thomas Olumbo aware of the task ahead, told Star in seperate interviews after their matches that they were all set for the trip to Mombasa where KPA teams have a perfect home record.
While Lions and KPA women will be going for theior third crowns in a row, KPA are looking to bounce back to glory of yester years where they dominated the local scene. The slef sponsored Wings are up for their first ever title.
Shihemi also said that the lower lower division finals will start in Kakamega with Masinde Muliro University of Agriculture and Technology (MMUST) hosting Blazers in Game One at the Police Canteen.
By winning their semi finals ties against Parklands Baptists 85-81 and Kenya College of Accountancy (KCA) University, the two have also booked a ticket to the premiership next season.Blazers pipped KCA 63-62.
Dann OWERRE
FIBA Africa