Basketball: T9 calls on Equity Dumas to get more aggressive

Equity Dumas head coach Carey "T9" Odhiambo has called on his charges to work on their aggressiveness as the side chases a maiden Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) men's league championship. 

On the weekend, the bankers survived Africa Nazarene University (ANU) Wolfpacks' onslaught to win their fixture 72-66 in an outcome that the tactician believes his charges could have done better in the second half. 

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Starting off on a high with a 29-9 first quarter score, the bankers let their guard down in the ensuing periods and Wolfpacks grabbed the opportunity to give "T9" charges a run for their money, especially in the second half. 

"It was an interesting match for everybody. We executed our plan well in the first half but they came for the second half a different team, winning both quarters 20-15, 26-12, but the first half score cushioned us. 

It is important for my players to realise that such games can change any moment and maintain the tempo of matches in all periods," offered "T9" in a post-match interview. 

Faisal Aden, who missed the bankers' match against holders Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), on allegations of having not cleared with his former employer in Rwanda, was back on the court where he led the scoring with 19 points as Victor Ochieng added 16 to the tally. 

"I think we need to play better. We need to want it more than we do as that will make it easier for us moving forward. We also need to work on our game discipline as it is wabting. We will, however, build on this result moving forward," added the tactician. 

The bankers made the playoffs semis for the first time in the 2021/22 league, playing KPA in the best-of-five playoffs. In Nairobi, they won the first two matches to lead 2-0 heading for the away matches in Mombasa. 

Tables turned in Mombasa as KPA clawed back to level the series 2-2 and Dumas were on their way to losing the decider match but walked out with barely a minute to play. 

The side presented their case to the leagues and competitions committee but the decision went against their appeal to be granted the match points or have the match replayed. 

Dumas are hoping to go one better this season and feature in the playoff final as they look to wrestle for the title.