L. MathekaBasketball: Sparks promise a fight in KBF final clash against KPA
Reading Time: 2min | Wed. 24.05.23. | 11:53
Game One and Two of the best-of-five final series are set for Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 at Nyayo before action moves to Makande in Mombasa
Zetech Sparks have overcome everything thrown at them this season to bag their maiden ticket to the Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) women’s top-tier where they go up against holders Kenya Ports Authority (KPA).
The varsity side go into the best-of-five final as the underdog and rightfully so as the Maurice Obilo’s charges are not only debutants but a young squad whose most experienced player has been with the team since 2018.
Obilo, however, promises that the side is in the final to compete and not just settle for being finalists.
If their seamless combination of eye-catching flair and defensive resoluteness, especially against former champions Equity Hawks in the semis, is anything to go by, then Obilo’s take is to be believed and they are ready to deliver.
“At any stage, Sparks always compete and this will be no different,” Obilo offered. “We go up against an experienced side but while they have that going for them we will not be intimidated by their status.”
The tactician admits that his side’s loses in the regular season came down to maturing, adding that his technical bench is working on building the players’ confidence ahead of the crucial matches.
“Knowing what decisions to make on the court and when comes with experience so that is not something we can fix in a week. However, we are talking to the players and they understand that this is a different ball game and quick thinking is key. We want to reduce any errors that might happen due to inexperience and give ourselves a chance,” Obilo offered.
Sparks are sweating over the availability of team forward Valarie Kemunto who picked a knee injury in Game Three against Hawks.
“She is undergoing reviews and we wait on the medical team to clear her for selection. She is an integral part of the team and missing her would be a huge blow. We are hopeful she will be available for selection,” the tactician explained.
Obilo says that he is polishing on the team’s defense as there is not much time to work on a lot of things ahead of the final this weekend. “Our defense had some loopholes in previous matches against KPA so we are working on that as I feel our offense was not as bad,” he concluded.
