Equity looking to end semis series in Game Three

In their debut on the Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) men's league playoff semis, Equity Bank Dumas have proven to be no pushovers and a final slot is just 40 minutes away. 

However, there are hurdles, of course, to getting to their first ever KBF playoff final. Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) stands in the way of the bankers and their dream final. 

Under Carey 'T9' Odhiambo's tutelage, the Equity squad, a mix of youth and experience led by Kenyan international Victor Ochieng have stunned the former champions KPA to lead the best-of-five series 2-0. 

A win in Game Three, set for Makande Hall in Mombasa, hands Odhiambo's charges a ticket to the final in style. 

"The last two matches have been tough. KPA are an experienced side who have played at those level for many years. This is our first semi but my players are proving themselves and takin on the challenge very well. 

We are going away and we have to be prepared mentally. It is never easy to play away but we do not want to give them a chance to plot for a comeback. We want to win this in a sweep," said Odhiambo. 

Despite being the team's first time in the playoff semis, the Equity squad is not short of experienced players, top.pf the list being their skipper Ochieng, commonly known as 'Electric' due to his explosive speed that has proven too much to handle for the dockers. 

Before joining Dumas in 2019, Electric was part of the back-to-back title winning KPA squad, signing from Lions. After switching to the bankers, he helped the side qualify for the playoffs in 2019 but were eliminated in the playoffs quarters. Moses Wanjara, a teammate at KPA is also part of the Equity squad. 

The squad also boasts another international in Faheem Juma, who until joining Dumas was part of the lethal Nairobi City Thunder squad that lost in the 2019 playoff final to Ulinzi Warriors. The two are also part of the national team that has done duty in various competitions since 2018. 

Additionally, coach Odhiambo had the demunitive Titus Musembi who brings with him a wealth of experience from playing days at Posta and the defunct Co-operative Bank Spartans. Kevin Chogo is another player that comes to mind as he was also part of the Thunder squad that played in the 2019 final. 

David Siaji, who is proving to be a huge asset for the bankers and Laiser Hill alumnus Robert Goppy highlight the young players that are giving the bankers an edge over their opponents with unmatched energy. 

"We are still struggling with game management and how to kill a game when we have it. That is why most of the time we look like we are playing under pressure even while we have comfortable leads. We are also allowing the opposition to cut back our leads and drag us back to pressure situations. We are, however, improving in this department with each match and I believe our next match will be better," said the tactician.