Kenya Ports Authority coach Sammy Kiki yesterday said they are under no pressure ahead of their Kenya National Basketball League Playoff final games at the Makande Welfare Hall in Mombasa this weekend.
The ports men and women host Nairobi sides Equity Bank Dumas and Zetech University Sparks in the pivotal Game Three fixtures of the best-of-five series on Saturday.
Kiki said they have no major injury concerns apart from forward Martin Kitongo, who is recovering from a muscle injury. He, however, said Kitongo trained with the team.
“The boys are in high spirits and the response to training is good. We have worked on the mistakes we committed in Game Two and our focus now is to overcome our opponents in Game Three,” he offered.
KPA and Dumas are tied 1-1 in the series after matches played at Nyayo Stadium gymnasium last week. KPA stopped the bankers 62-53 in Game One before going down 70-69 in a tough Game Two.
Dumas coach Carey ‘T9’Oketch who is aware of the task ahead said, “We ready to battle. We understand where we are at and we must rise up to the challenge.”
KPA will have to rely on Lennox Wanje, Eugene Adera, John Wiljass, Job Byron and Nick Ogol as well as a good bench backup. The raucous home support will also play a key role in this tie.
In Victor Bosire, Victor Ochieng and James Mwangi, Dumas have players capable of taking the game to anyone. They will have backup from Lenson Kisia, Titus Musembi and Faheem Juma although they must bring their A game in one of the most difficult venues for away teams.
KPA women seem to have an easier task than the two coastal sides. They took Game One by dismantling Maurice Obilo young Sparks 68-38 and did the same in Game Two with another strong 70-38 win.
“We are all set. It’s just Seline (Okumu) who is still recovering from her injuries from last weekend. Other than her, everybody else is doing fine,” said KPA coach Mike Opel.
Games Four and Five, if possible will be played on Monday at the same venue, according to KBF competitions secretary Joseph Amoko.
