KEN- Ulinzi win fifth straight title, Telkom check KPA reign

NAIROBI (Premier League) - Ulinzi Warriors over the weekend claimed their fifth succesive Premier League while Telkom checked Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) run for fifth in tight matches played at Nyayo National Stadium gymnasium.

Ulinzi edged Co-operative Bank of Kenya 84-83 in over time in a tight match that saw George Kamau hit a dramatic equaliser to locked the scores 76-76 and send the match into OT.

Ulinzi who made history by becoming the only Kenyan club to win five titles in a row, made their intentions clear from start leading 24-17 and 24-17 in the opening two quarters.

But the last half belonged to Co-op who were ahead 22-12 and 20-16. Both teams were deadlocked 76-76 in normal time. In the extra five minutes, Ulinzi prevailed 8-7.

Ancette Wafula scored game high 29 points while Apollo, a non factor in Game One which Ulinzi won 79-73, contributed 16.Peter Kiganya led Co-op with 24 and John Waruru 14.

Four time title holders KPA arrived in Nairobi riding on a 1-0 lead. But things soon became as disaster as Telkom hit them 68-57 on Friday to tie the series before coming for the kill.

Telkom took KPA crown with a 53-49 win.KPA sailed away 18-12 and 17-14 in the first and second quarter. But undetered Telkom produce the shock of the year taking the third quarter 10-3 and the last 19-11 to carry the day.

Joyce Makungu who scored 23 points in Game Two, hit another 19 while Caroline Achieng made 17. KPA had 13 from Irene Murambi and 12 from Gladys Wanyama.

In other matches, former regional champions Sprite Storms pipped Yana Milele 54-53 to finsh third as Linda Alando scored 10 points.Volnet Wanyama sunk 17 for the losers.

Kisumu Lakeside won the lower Divison title with a close 68-63 win over Java Warriors. The two teams will now join the Premier League club next year and must start recruiting for the gruelling year ahead.

Dann OWERE
FIBA Correspondent in Kenya