Do or die for KPA in quest for playoff final

Will we miss another playoff final? 

That is the question on many Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) fan's minds as they head to Game Three of the best-of-five Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) men's league semis against Equity Bank Dumas. 

The Sammy Kiki-led dockers find themselves trailing the bankers 2-0 and will need to win the third game, set for the weekend in Mombasa to revive hopes of reaching their first final since 2018 when they beat Ulinzi Warriors for their third consecutive title. 

Hawks, KPA one match away from booking KBF final slot

Begin the series in Nairobi, KPA went down 64-54 in the first match and had no reply for the hard-fighting Dumas in Game Two as Carey Odhiambo's side picked a 78-66 victory yo move one match closer to booking their first ever final slot. 

"After Game One we analysed our performance but our resolutions also failed in Game Two. They punished us with three pointers. We had a chance to stop them and level the series but we kept losing focus and allowing them to score easy baskets," offered a disappointed Kiki. 

Victor Ochieng and Faheem Juma led the three point onslaught on the dockers. Skipper Ochieng led by example, converting 50 percent from beyond the arc with seven good treys that proved timely as they helped his side pull away whenever KPA threatened. Juma made four of his nine attempts. 

Kiki's charges had a good start in Game Two, leading 11-9 in the first five minutes but lost their footing, allowing Dumas vack into the lead as the bankers led 23-15 at the end of the quarter. KPA fought back to level the score at 36 points going into the half time breather. 

On resumption, the first six minutes were a see-saw but Equity went on a rampage in the last three minutes of the game to take a 15-pojnt advantage into the final period at 65-50. KPA never recovered from the deficit, losing by 12 points. 

"After fighting to level the score in the second quarter, my players ran out of gas and Equity took advantage. That is why it is important for us not to chase the game, always be in the lead on ensure it is a see-saw. 

We head to Mombasa and hit training with a win in mind. It will be tough. Equity will be out to finish off the series with a sweep but we have to win that match and give ourselves a chance in Game Four and Five," offered Kiki. 

The last time the dockers played in the final was in 2018, beating Warriors 3-1. In 2019, Kikis men face the same military side in the semi final and lost as the soldiers went on to defeat Nairobi City Thunder 3-1 in the final to lift the title they had last won in 2014.