KBF Play Offs: Former champs KPA eye Equity scalp

Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) men’s league title campaign heats up as the top four teams clash for a slot in the best-of-five final where the league champion will bag a ticket to the Basketball Africa League (BAL).

Former champions Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) have a date with Equity Bank in the semis, beginning their campaign in Nairobi for Game One and Two on 5 and 6 February. The bankers won 2-1 in the quarters while the dockers swept Eldonets 2-0 in the best-of-three series.

Coach Sammy Kiki, while acknowledging that his squad is up against a good Equity side, says the target is making it to the final and going all the way. 

"I have respect for the bankers, despite winning the regular league encounters, so there will be no complacency from our end when we face them. It will be a close contest but I believe in my squad. 

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We have a week to prepare for the series, beginning in Nairobi, and we know what to work on. I have a full squad and the depth to face a squad as talented as Equity's," said Kiki. 

Last season, the dockers were eliminated in the semis by eventual winners Ulinzi Warriors, relinquishing the title they had won in 2018. 

"I would not say that we are not under pressure to qualify for the final and go all the way to reclaim the title. However, it is the good kind of pressure, one we can feed on to give the best in the semis. 

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Against a team as good as Equity who are one of the top three performers in the local league, we will have to make sure that our defence is top-notch to deny their best scorers, while keen to make our chances on the rim count," added Kiki.

Before relinquishing the title to Warriors, Kiki's men had won the league title for three consecutive seasons.