Blades face Equity, Terror test in quest for playoff slot

Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) men's league side Strathmore University Blades are looking to pick maximum points this weekend with two fixtures in their books.

The Tony Ochieng-led varsity side have a date with title-chasing Equity Bank on Saturday 30 October before facing off with University of Nairobi (UoN) Terror on Sunday 30 October.

Blades, who in 2017 were fighting for the league title in the playoff final against Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), find themselves in unfamiliar territory on the log, in ninth place after seven wins in 14 matches and are looking to fight their way into the top eight for a chance at the playoffs.

"We are faced with an acid test against the bankers and in a university derby. First, Equity are good on offense and have very mature and experienced guards and we have to be in a position to stop them if we are to have a chance.

We go in needing a win and I am confident my charges can deliver. In the first leg we lost a close contest by seven points in a 57-50 outcome and we are ready to make amends. Our zone defence will have to be top notch and that is the only way to stop their guards," said Ochieng.

Blades go into the two matches without the services of centre player Cliff Alela who is nursing an injury that will see him miss two months of action, leaving him out of coach Ochieng's plans for the rest of the season.

"We have the bench power and Alela's absence will not be felt. I have three players who have stepped up and are handling business on the paint. Jordan Adera, Timothy Oyoo and Denis Koja have proved to be just as good and will give me optionsin rotationwhich is key. Our team depth means any player missing is adequately covered and we are also not worried about fatigue.

What I am working on is making sure the player remain focused for the entire match. We have previously lost matches due to lapses in concentration in the final minutes of matches," added Ochieng.

Against Terror, the tactician believes it will be a tight game and a psychological one but exudes confidence that his players will hold their own for a win.

On their part Equity and Terror will be on the war path, looking to redeem themselves from last weekend's loses to KPA.