Elitists sharpening tools for city tour, says coach Kanda
DANN O’WERRE
Cabals Elitists coach Richard Kanda expects his team to be ready for their Division Two playoff quarterfinal Game Three against Moischers in Nairobi this weekend.
The tactician spoke after his charges split the best of Five Games series 1-1 at Menengai High School courts on Sunday.
Elitists went down 63-50 in Game Two after winning a closely contested Game One 75-74 at the same venue the previous day.
“It was a very tough match but we gave it our all. They are a good team and the fact that we lost in the last five minutes gives us hope,” said Kanda.
“We know what to do in Nairobi. We will prepare adequately.”
Moischers, unbeaten before the two away matches, went off to a slow start as both sides were locked 12-12 in the first quarter.
Evans Shikuku tallied the winners’ opening 10 points before top scorer Jeff Onyango took over the proceedings (23 points) for Moischers. Elitists were led by Kauol Atem who sunk 16 while Joseph Ngoshi also shot 10.
They took the second quarter 19-15. After the break, the Peninah Nthenya-coached side went away 14-9 in the third and 18-14 in the last stanza.
In Game One, Moischers rolled off to a bright start, taking the first quarter 27-16, hanging on for 14-12 in the second and tied 16 -16 in the third.
However, they were steamrolled 31-18 by the determined home boys. Patrick Munene managed 32 points, Musa Kiplagat 14 and Klinsman Orina 11.
The shell-shocked losers, who had not tasted defeat this season, were led by Jeff Onyango’s 20 points. Abdalla Said and Wycliffe Rayasi had 16 and 14 points respectively.
The Nakuru side will travel to Nairobi for Games Three and Game Four and, if need be, Game Five this weekend.
Meanwhile, The FIBA Africa Zone Five U16 Boys and Girls Championships, earlier slated for Mombasa, has been moved to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on July 11-15.