Ulinzi Warriors train guns on Blades in KBF playoff semis : The standard Sports

Defending champions Ulinzi Warriors are looking forward to brush aside Strathmore’s Blades when they host the university side in a Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) Men’s Premier League playoff semi-finals match at Nyayo Gymnasium today.

Warriors were forced to dig deep last weekend during the quarterfinals against Kisumu Lakeside as they rallied to edge out the Nyanza-based club 2-1 in the best of three quarters series.

Speaking to the Standard Sports, Warriors Team Manager Stephen Bartilol said the team is focused on starting the semifinals which will be played in the best of five series on the front foot to avoid a repeat of their quarters mistakes.

Bartilol said the defeat against Lakeside was an eye opener that every team is strong and they have to be at their best in every game if they are to retain their title.

“We played a very tough quarters against Lakeside despite many seeing them as underdogs. The game one defeat in Kisumu was a lesson learnt and we are not going to make the same mistakes against Blades who are a formidable side,” said Bartilol.

“We are going to take each game at a time and work towards finishing the series in three games so that we have time to rest and recollect ahead of the finals.”

Blades cut down last season’s losing finalists Nairobi City Thunder after beating them 2-0 in the best of three quarter final series and in the process booking a date with Warriors.

Ineligible player

Meanwhile, Bartilol has denied allegations that Ulinzi Warriors fielded an ineligible player during their quarterfinals against Lakeside.

Warriors were trailing 1-0 ahead of last weekend’s game two and three before the soldiers sprung back to life with the inclusion of Kenya Morans star Valentine Nyakinda.

Nyakinda was instrumental for the defending champions who won game two 77-57 to tie the series at 1-1 before proceeding to the semifinals with a victory in game three.

“I want to call upon individuals claiming Nyakinda was not eligible to play to file a petition at the federation. Nyakinda played more than five matches during regular season surpassing the required three which makes him available during the playoffs,” said Bartilol.

When contacted, Lakeside said they have not filed a complaint to KBF.

In the other semifinal match, Equity Banks will renew rivalry with Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) men.

The bankers came from one game down to defeat Nairobi’s Terror 2-1 to advance in the three-game series.

Terror had provided tough test for David Maina’s side which fell 71-67 in game one before fighting back to win the next two games 59-35 and 78-45 respectively.

In the Women’s Premier League, Equity Banks, who are the defending champions, will face Zetech University in the first semifinal as regular season leaders KPA entertain Storms in the other semis at Nyayo.