Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) made a statement by securing a 62-53 victory over Equity Dumas in the opening game of the best-of-five series for the Men’s Kenya National Basketball Premier League title at Nyayo National Stadium Gymnasium.
Despite starting the first two games away from home, KPA showcased their championship aspirations, positioning themselves favourably in the quest for the coveted trophy.
A win in Game Two at the same venue on Saturday would put them one step closer to clinching the title.
Job Byron led the charge for KPA with an outstanding performance, contributing 18 points to the team’s success. Eugene Adera and Martin Kitongo also made significant contributions, each registering double-digit points with 11 apiece.
Victor Bosire emerged as Equity’s leading scorer, amassing 16 points. However, his individual effort fell short in rescuing his team from defeat, leaving Equity with the task of delivering an exceptional performance in the upcoming duel.
The opening two quarters saw a closely contested battle, with both teams tied at 18 points by the end of the first quarter.
KPA managed to gain a slight advantage of half a basket at halftime, leading with a score of 33-32. However, in the second half, the visitors from Mombasa turned the tide in their favour, establishing a five-point gap that extended to nine by the final whistle.
Equity fought valiantly in the last quarter, with Bosire, Faheem Juma, and James Mwangi leading the charge to narrow the deficit. Despite their efforts, they fell short of a comeback.
In another gripping encounter, the race for promotion between Strathmore and United States International University (USIU) began on an intense note, with USIU edging out their opponents by a single basket, resulting in a tight 64-62 scoreline.
On Saturday, the battle between Strathmore and USIU will continue in Game Two, while the Women’s Premier League series will kick off as defending champions KPA faces off against first-timers Zetech University.
