Ulinzi, Equity continue good run as KBF confirm playoff format

Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) men’s league defending champions Ulinzi Warriors continued their good run in the local league this weekend picking two wins to extend their lead at the helm to eleven wins in 12 matches. 

Equity Bank men, on their side, continued their charge for a playoff spot with victories against newly-promoted sides Kenyatta University Pirates (86-70) and University of Nairobi (UoN) Terror (68-35) to make it ten wins in 12 matches. 

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Warriors first took on Kenya College of Accountancy - University (KCA-U) on Saturday for an easy 66-32 win. The military side headed to the first half break leading 32-24. They annihilated the varsity side in the second half, restricting them to four points in each quarter for the 34-point win. William Ochieng led the scoring charts for Warriors at 18 points. 

Against Umoja, Ancet Wafula came alive, scoring 23 points to help Warriors see off the hard-fighting Kevin Sunguti-coached Umoja 68-58. Warriors led by 16 points at the end of the first half, a difference that proved too big to recover for Umoja despite playing a better second half to equal Warriors on points at 18 in the third quarter and lead 21-15 in the final period. 

Terror, who have played 13 matches are third at 20 points, three behind leaders Warriors and two behind second-placed Equity. The varsity side has registered seven wins and lost six. 

In the women’s league, holders Equity Hawks who were not in action this weekend are at the helm at 22 points from eleven victories in as many matches. Former champions Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) saw off Zetech University 57-43 at home for their seventh win in eight matches and are second. The dockers are tied on points with Zetech, at 15, but the varsity side has played nine matches. 

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Meanwhile, KBF Secretary-General (SG) Ambrose Kisoi has shed light on the course of action after the regular league concludes disputing reports that the playoff format will change. 

“The same way we have done over the years, the top eight teams head to the playoffs. There are no changes to how the league champions will be decided. Most teams have begun the second leg of the league and we are hoping to conclude the season in December and crown our champions,” said Kisoi.

Earlier unconfirmed reports had indicated that the playoffs would be restricted to the top four teams with contrary information claiming that the top placed teams at the end of the regular league would be crowned champions.