KBF playoffs pushed forward

The 2021 Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) playoffs, initially scheduled for 15 January have been pushed to 22 January 2022 according to the released fixtures. 

Initially Secretary General (SG) Ambrose Kisoi had said the matches would throw off on 15 January, tentatively

The top eight teams in the men's and women's top tier leagues are set to face off in the best-of-three quarters that begin on 21 with men's league holders Ulinzi Warriors begin their title defence away yo Kisumu Lakeside who placed eighth in the regular league. Their women counterparts Equity Hawks face Africa Nazarene University ( ANU) in the quarters. 

In the women's league, Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) head to the playoffs top of the table but tied on 35 points with the holders. Both sides lost to each other but KPA's win over the bankers was superior. 

In third place is Zetech Sparks who managed 14 wins in 18 matches in the ten-team league for 32 points, five above fourth-placed University of Nairobi Dynamites who won nine and lost a similar number for 27 points. 

Storms, Eagle Wings, ANU and Strathmore University Swords complete the top eight finishers in that order with Kenyatta University Oryx and Kisumu Lady Bucks missing out.

The league had attracted ten teams as opposed to the usual 12 following the exit of Riara University and United States International University (USIU) at the beginning of the season that was marred by Covid-19 occasioned stoppages.

The men's league has Warriors top of the table and also tied on points with second-placed KPA. While Warriors fell to Kisumu Lakeside and Nairobi City Thunder in the regular season for 43 points in 22 matches, the dockers lost to the soldiers home and away. 

In third place is maiden title-chasing Equity Bank men who managed 17 wins for 39 points, four above last season's losing finalists Thunder who experienced a turbulent start to the season following the exit of some key players. 

Tony Ochieng-coached Strathmore Blades are in fifth place on 32 points, one above varsity rivals UoN Terror Eldonets and Lakeside complete the top eight places. 

The quarters conclude on 30 January, paving way for the semis, played on a best-of-fice format then the final that assumes the same format. 

While the other leagues begin heir playoffs with the quarters, the men's division one league will start the playoffs at the semis level as only five teams took part on the league. Top of the table ANU play Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) Morans while Zetech Titans face Coastal Kings. 

Men's pairings 

Warriors vs Lakeside 

KPA vs Eldonets 

Thunder vs Blades 

Equity vs Terror 

Women's pairings 

KPA vs Strathmore 

Hawks vs ANU 

Dynamites vs Storms 

Zetech vs Eagle Wings