Kenya champions KCB Lions and Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) teams roared into the 2009 play off finals and are all set to start the defense of their titles starting this weekend in Mombasa.
Lions shut out International Christian Center (ICC) 2-0 (83-53 and 81-71) at Nyayo National Stadium gymnasium while KPA dismissed United States International University (USIU) 2-0 (68-33 and 84-53) at the Makande Welfare Hall.
They have been joined by KPA men who rocked Africa club championships contenders Co-operative Bank of Kenya 2-1 (55-78, 75-57 and 73-62) and battle weary Eagle Wings who demolished Eastern Queens 2-1 (63-50, 48-50 and 76-55).
Dennis Opiyo two fouls shots gave KCB just the start they needed but ICC locked the duel twice on efforts by Ben Ogolla. Lions were up 17-14 at the end of the first quarter. ICC battled the bankers in the second quarter as both teams went to the break deadlocked 34-34.
After resumption, Opiyo opened the gates with two free shots making the scores 49-39 but the turning point came late in this quarter . David Otiso completed a three point play, was feed inside for an easy slam and Victor Odendo drained a three pointer, all in under one minute, building the scores to 60-40.
When the last quarter started Lions enjoyed a 20 point difference but got complacent on defense as ICC duo of James Omune and Phil Dinga got their shooting range right and connected for vital threes reducing the margin to 10 points.
Odendo led Lions scoring chart with 17 points, Opiyo had 16, Tobias Onyango nailed 12 while Ntirafa Ciza bagged another 10 for KCB. Omune led all scorers with 30 and Dinga managed 16 for surprise package ICC.
Wings flattered Queens 76-55 after getting off to just the start they needed racing to a 18-0 lead after Eunice Ouma opened the flood gates with a three for a 23-7 first quarter edge. Queens took the second 22-13 but were down 29-36 at the break.
In the last half, Anastasia Njeri opening free shots were quickly cancelled out by a three point play by Mitchele Otinda and another three point play by Emma Nyakweba drew Queens close at 43-45 but that was the closest they would get in this contest.
Wings pulled away again and two long three point bombs by Caroline "Manjeng" Achieng at 61-51 and 64-52 completely deflated Queens who seemed to have no response at all. Understrength Wings, playing with only three substitutes remained unperturbed and non nonsense Achieng who provided 29 points was superb all the way. Njeri had 18 while Anghelas Okoth chipped in with 11.
While Wings will head to the coastal city to face off against KPA in Game One, its along wait for Queens for another crack at the national title. Hilda Indasi scored 20 while Otinda shot 11 and Nyakweba 11.
In Game Two, Queens forced two ties at 25-25 and 28-28 before Emma Nyakweba scoring the go away basket. Linda Alando three pointer made it 37-31. A rare three pointer by Eleanor Musundi from the top of the key made it a 44-34.
But Wings flew right back with Eunice Ouma and Caroline Achieng foul shots locking it 46-46 and 48-48 before Musundi scored the game clincher.Hilda Luvanda scored 15 while Nyakweba and Irene Makori combined for 18. Wings had 13 from Anastasia Njeri and 11 from Bridgit Nanzala.
KPA men took a 34-23 half time lead and hit Co-op 73-62 with Dan Okwiri making 18 points, Mike Opel hitting 15 while Patrick Kirui and Musa Odari each poured in 12. On Saturday, Opel scored 16 each as KPA hammered the bankers 75-57.
The reigning women champions were too much for USIU Flames dosing them 84-53 after a 49-20 difference at the breather. Velma Juma shot 12 points and Millicent Anyango hit 11. The previous day, Anyango nailed 15 to guide KPA to a 68-33 win.
In the lower division, Sydney Ochieng running basket enabled Blazers to pip Kenya College of Accountancy (KCA) 63-62 and book themselves a ticket to the premiership next year. KCA were ahead 35-24 at the break.
Jeremy Kwendo foul shots gave KCA a 60-59 cushion with time running out but Joel Atebe scored on a drive and Ochieng nailed the clincher. Victor Okello two free shots after time expired were of little consequence.
Blazers were joined at the top by Masinde Muliro University of Agriculture and Technology (MMUST) who shut out the visiting Parklands Baptists 85-80 at the Police Canteen in Kakamega. They will meet in the lower division fin
Blazers tied the series 1-1 with a 57-49 win. They race to a 28-25 half time scoreline and never looked back as Mutwiri Kiogora led the way with 19 and Joseph Kosgey made 15. Victor Okelllo hit 16 while Titus Musembi bagged 15.
Dann OWERRE
FIBA Africa