KBF Playoffs: Sibling rivalry as Snipers, MAB clash for a premier league slot

Coach William Ochieng believes his side, Ulinzi Snipers, has what it takes to beat their fellow military men, Moi Airbase (MAB) for a place in the Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) men’s premier League.

In Game One of the best-of-five men's division one semis series, coach Ochieng’s charges came from behind to beat their nemesis 48-38 in a low-scoring encounter at Nyayo Gymnasium.

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The Mike Tanui-coached MAB had a better start, going ahead 12-08 but Snippers returned with vengeance for a massive 21-09 show in the second quarter, a performance orchestrated by the indefatigable Simon Rapudo who scored 13 of the 21 points in the period.

Ochieng’s charges left nothing to chance in the third quarter, despite carrying an 8-point advantage to the second half, as they went on a 14-07 rally to extend their lead to 15 points. MAB made a comeback attempt in the final quarter going ahead 10-05 but it was too little too late to change the trajectory of the match.

“The mission is to gain promotion and this is a good start for us,” coach Ochieng told Mozzart Sport. “We are up against a side that has its advantages against us as all these players are colleagues and they know each other’s playing styles. Winning then comes down to the best strategy.”

Coach Ochieng’s side came close last season losing in the best-of-five semis to Strathmore, a painful experience the players have vowed not to go throw again.

“They are very motivated. That, however, does not make us complacent as we know the challenge MAB poses. We have to remain focused, minimize some of the mistakes that we witnessed in Game One, and hope to end the series as soon as possible," the tactician added. 

Meanwhile, MAB assistant coach Peter Mdoe, while acknowledging that being a derby makes the series that much tougher, isays his charges hold similar top-tier dreams and they will bring their A game in the remaining matches. 

Game Two is scheduled for Sunday 23 June from 10.30 am.

A win in the series for either side sews them join their 'elder sibling', former league champions Ulinzi Warriors who were this season bundled out of the playoff quarters by Equity Dumas.