Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) women's basketball team head coach Samuel Ocholla is confident about his team's chances of retaining the National Women's Basketball Premier League title. The defending champions returned to the final following a commanding 3-0 semifinal playoff sweep of TH3 Swish. Ocholla attributed his team's success to discipline, hard work, and continued improvement. He expressed his satisfaction with the team's progress, citing the players' commitment and strength.
KPA sealed their place in the final after crushing Swish 83-42 in Game Three at Makande Gymnasium, Mombasa, on Saturday. The team had earlier won Game One 80-42 and Game Two 62-49 in Nairobi to take a 2-0 lead before completing the sweep on home ground. This impressive run has positioned KPA as a strong contender for the title, with Ocholla emphasizing the importance of maintaining their focus.
Ocholla, however, cautions that his players cannot afford to relax despite their impressive run. The team is also preparing for the Zone Five Championship scheduled for later this month. Ocholla stressed that there is always pressure that comes with every victory, especially when you have a good record. He emphasized the need to take it one game at a time and make adjustments for every game.
KPA will face either Stanbic Aces or Equity Hawks in the final, with Games One and Two expected to be played at Nyayo Gymnasium, Nairobi, next weekend. Stanbic currently lead the other semifinal series 2-1 and will face Equity in Game Four on Tuesday, with a possible Game Five scheduled for Thursday. The final matchup is yet to be determined, but Ocholla is focused on his team's preparation.
In the men's final, Nairobi City Thunder retained the title for the third consecutive season after sweeping KPA 3-0, extending their unbeaten run to three seasons. This achievement demonstrates the team's dominance in the men's league, and Ocholla's focus remains on his team's title defence.
Ocholla highlighted the importance of hard work and discipline in his team's success. He believes that the girls have become stronger, training well and showing great commitment. This, combined with discipline both on and off the court, will help them in the final. Ocholla's emphasis on these factors suggests that he is committed to maintaining a high level of performance.
As KPA prepares to face either Stanbic Aces or Equity Hawks in the final, Ocholla remains focused on the task at hand. With a possible Game Five scheduled for Thursday, the team will need to stay focused and adapt to different dynamics. The coach's experience and leadership will be crucial in guiding his team to victory.
Key points
- KPA women's basketball team head coach Samuel Ocholla believes discipline, hard work, and continued improvement will be key as his side bids to retain the National Women's Basketball Premier League title.
