This archive report was first published on 15 December 2019.
On Saturday, Equity Bank launched their title defence with a thrilling 63-59 win over Kenya Ports Authority in Game One of the MadGoat National Classic basketball league play-offs final at KPA Makande Hall.
Delayed by two hours due to the unavailability of referees, the match tipped off at 6:15 pm, with Equity Bank taking command from the start. Belinda Okoth, Melisa Akinyi, and Samba Mjomba executed well, leading the bankers to a huge 22-8 first quarter lead.
However, Hilda Indasi, Taudencia Katumbi, and Natalie Akinyi came in strongly for KPA in the second quarter, winning it 14-13 and trailing 35-22 at half-time. KPA won the third quarter 20-13, closing the gap to 48-42 at the end of the third before clinching the fourth 17-15.
Despite their efforts, it was too late for KPA, as Equity sealed the crucial away win by two baskets. Annrose Mandela, a former KPA player, scored a game-high 15 points for the bankers, while Belinda Okoth and Samba Mjomba added 12 and eight points respectively.
Indasi led KPA with 15 points, while Katumbi and Akinyi scored 14 and 12 points for KPA, who will face the bankers in Game Two on Sunday before action moves to Nairobi from Wednesday in this best-of-five series.
"We executed our game plan well, though my players ran out of steam towards the end of the game, which is a concern," said Equity Bank coach David Maina.
His KPA counterpart, Mike Opel, said the team started badly but promised to make amends in the remaining games.
