KEN - Co-op Bank, Posta record unconvincing wins as league finally starts

NAIROBI (National league) - Co-operative Bank of Kenya and Posta strugguled for grip before recording unconvincing wins as the National Classic league actions got underway at the Coca Cola National Stadium gymnasium.

Co-op pipped University of Nairobi "Terrorists" 56-55 while Posta had it rough winning 64-61 against International Christian Center (ICC) in a top premier league actions.

The bankers, who were last year's runners up, started the game on a slippery note trailing 11-12 in the first quarter despite an opener by new boy, Roy Kahure.

They did regroup superbly to take the second quarter as Bobby Okwako made six points for a 16-2 advantage. The campus lads went on a bad drought scoring their only basket from Mike Opinya.

After the break, the students led by Opinya who potted eight points, and Brian Busu who nailed two three pointers, took a huge 24-13 edge. In a race against time, Terrorists did their best leading 17-16 but it was too little too late as Co-op escaped their worst start by the teeth of their skin.

Moses Kamau shot 17 points while Martin Okwako chipped in with nine for Co-op, Opinya led all scorers with game high 22 points, Ken Githinji collected 11 while Busu posted 11 for UoN.

POSTA got off their campaign on a shaky note when they posted a narrow 64-61 win over a suprisingly resilient ICC side.

The mailmen, who last year won their Division One title without losing a game, had to struggle in the first half where they managed a slim 17-4 and 17-15 lead. After the intermission, they had a poor third quarter barely hanging on 13-9. ICC did well to take the last quarter with a 22-17 difference.

Michael Njoroge, who only had one trai9ning session with the winners, bagged 17 points while Ben Oluoch scored 14. For the battl;ing ICC, national team guard Griffin Ligare led all scorers with 22 points and George Ochieng posted 19.

Strathmore University "Blades" recored a one point win when they squeezed a 61-60 victory over newly promoted Lomboritz in another closely fought duel.

It was Strathmore who took the first two quarter 16-12 and 13-11 while the losers had the better of the third and fourth 17-15 and 20-17. Alex Olaba led with 23 points and Victor Rono collected 11. Lomboritz had Rogers Magati hitting 24 points.

Kenya College of Accountancy (KCA) University made a grand debut after being promoted from the provincial league with a stunning 66-47 wrecking of Blazers, who showed up but had so little to offer in this lower division fixtures.

Debutant Kenya College of Accountancy (KCA) University shocked Strathmore "Swords" 56-42 . KCA were down 9-11 in the first quarter but took over the proceedings leading 19-10, 14-9 and 14-12 in the last three quarters.

Lucy Machuma registered 11 points as did Monica Odhiambo. Irene Anyango scoring 10 while Grace Wanjiku contributed nine for the struggling losers.

Sprite Storms worries of a poor show this year following exodus of players were dispelled when the registered a 55-34 win over Mennonites in the ladies match of the day. The victors led by Yvonne Mashedi and Angela Luchivya were up 18-16 in a low scoring firts half.

They turned on the heat in the last half to deny the debutants who had the national under 18 forward, Lynette Atieno showing great form.The league got off to a convincing start after a five week stalemate. Only a game pitting Parklands Baptist against World Hope was called off as the latter had lost one of their player through traffic accident last week.

In the Nairobi Basketball Associationa (NBA) league, Dennis Oyaro sunk 18 points as defending champions got their title defense on a sound note hitting Emyba 69-55. Collins Ochillo bagged the losers 18.

Baraka Xtreme pinned Nairobi Aviation Colllege 54-37 behind 11 points from Timothy Otieno. NAC had 14 points from Alvin Maluka. Kenya Poly had 16 points from Wyn Marangi as they clobbered Deaf Kings 75-35.

Freinds of Basketball (FOB) came from behind ho hit Old Pirates 68-66 in a match that went into over time after Mwazhige Mshila tied the scores 58-58 with a three pointer at the buzzer. He hit 21 while the winners James achega was hot for xseason high 32 points.

Trailblazers thumped Baraka Xtreme 65-46 ehind Shem Otieno's 15 points and David Okwako's 11. Baraka had 16 from Amos Wachira.

Emyba had 21 points from Victor Mongare and 11 from Brian Obimbo as they felled Deaf Kings 62-17. Madison won their second game in a row winning 49-49 over Satelitte Mercenaries.. Amos Gitonga was the key hitting 14 points. Moses Abraham fired 15 for the losers.

Friends of Basketball (FOB) came from behind to stun Kenya Polytechnic 53-47 a Zico Kadir scored 13 points and Joseph Achega bagged 13. Massud Issah made 12 for the losers. Don Bosco had 12 points from Eki Abdalla as they beat Old Pirates 49-47.

Dann OWERRE
FIBA Africa