Sharp Blades Target KCA University’s Scalp In Play-Offs

8th November 2018

Tony Ochieng's charges keen on seeing off the challenge of fellow university side following 54-34 win in Game One last weekend

Strathmore University Blades player ( with the ball)  challenges Ulinzi Warriors in the 2017 Kenya Basketball Federation men’s Premier league semifinals playoffs at their Madaraka Campus in Nairobi on January 29, 2018.PHOTO/NBA
Strathmore University Blades player ( with the ball) challenges Ulinzi Warriors in the 2017 Kenya Basketball Federation men’s Premier league semifinals playoffs at their Madaraka Campus in Nairobi on January 29, 2018.PHOTO/NBA
SUMMARY
  • Head coach Tony Ochieng claimed they were focused on wrapping up the series to give him ample time to plot for the semis where they will meet the winner of the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) and USIU Tigers last-eight showdown
  • Blades finished the 2018 KBF league fourth with 32 points behind Nairobi City Thunder (33), Ulinzi Warriors (36) and KPA (39) above them in that order to qualify for the post-season campaign
  • Ochieng is banking on his potent bench to inspire his side to the title and secure a place in the 2019 FIBA Africa Zone V Championships


NAIROBI, Kenya- Strathmore Blades are raring to see off Kenya College of Accountancy-University (KCA-U) in Game Two of their Kenya Basketball Federation men’s quarterfinal play-off at Nyayo National Stadium Gymnasium in Nairobi on Saturday.

Strathmore took the first of the best of three contest last weekend and victory over their university rivals will book their ticket to the last four with a game to spare.

Head coach Tony Ochieng claimed they were focused on wrapping up the series to give him ample time to plot for the semis.

They will meet the winner of the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) and USIU Tigers last-eight showdown.

“We won Game One 54-34 and are looking forward to apply the same tactics. They have young and energetic players who are full of pace, so we will manage them by controlling the game's tempo.

“We will force the ball on their court as our intention is to finish the task before half time,” Ochieng told SportPesa News on Thursday.

Game execution

The Strathmore coach is itching to get another crack and turn tables on KPA should they dismiss the challenge of USIU after the reigning national titleholders outclassed them 3-1 in the best of five finals last year.

“I think we equally have good players who can handle the weight of the champions and the only thing we need is adequate preparations.

"I believe KPA are beatable if we put our house in order,” underlined Ochieng- who is the first tactician to lead the varsity side to the regional FIBA Africa Zone V Challenge.

"We did well on our debut and reached the quarters but most importantly, we gained vital lessons on composure, game execution and team management," Ochieng, whose team is on riding on the crest of three successive wins, underscored.

Blades finished the 2018 KBF league fourth with 32 points behind Nairobi City Thunder (33), Ulinzi Warriors (36) and KPA (39) above them in that order to qualify for the post-season campaign.

Ochieng is banking on his potent bench to inspire his side to the title and secure a place in the 2019 FIBA Africa Zone V Championships.

"We hope our center forward Brian Onyango will be fine before the semifinals,” the coach stated on the only injury concern in his squad.

 Selected KBF Game One Results

 Blades                  54                          34 KCA-U

Emyba                  75                          38 Nakuru Club 

Riara Bucks         68                          56Coasal Kings  

Baobab                71                          64 Blazers

Barclays               61                          53 Eldonets

Storms                 59                          40 E.Wings

Ulinzi                    56                          34 Umoja

Terror                   45                          36 Zetech

L/Prince               63                          42 Nebulas

K.A.A                    66                          51 JKUAT            

Gladiators           35                          34 A.N.U

Dynamites           37                          32 JKUAT            

K.U Pirates          50                          34 Zetech