KPA, Patriots in early lead at FIBA Africa Zone 5 Club Championship
KAMPALA (FIBA Africa Champions Cup 2017) - Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) made light work of Gondar City of Ethiopia 108-35 in their opening Group B tie on Sunday at the ongoing FIBA Africa Zone 5 Club Champi
KAMPALA (FIBA Africa Champions Cup 2017) - Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) made light work of Gondar City of Ethiopia 108-35 in their opening Group B tie on Sunday at the ongoing FIBA Africa Zone 5 Club Championship at the Lugogo Indoor Arena.
The Mombasa based side led from the onset 29-8 at the end of the first quarter and a half century lead at the half time break 61-11 was enough to earmark their ambitions.
A stellar third and fourth quarter performance saw Samuel Kiki's outfit take an early lead in what is expected to be an action-packed week.
Ramadhan Arou, who is in familiar territory having played for City Oilers of Uganda in 2014, registered an incredible double double with 18 points and 10 rebounds to inspire the Mombasa side to an emphatic win that sent them top of the group. Anthony Kidong'o Matongolo and Samuel Ochola added 17 and 12 points.
Pre-tournament title favorites Patriots of Rwanda saw off Hawassa City 110-43 to go top of Group A ahead of their arch-rivals City Oilers who defeated Savio of Tanzania 93-46.
The Rwandan champions, who are making only their second appearance at the tournament, have made their intentions known and according to team captain Aristide Mugabe, his side is taking one game at a time.
Center Kami Kabange and power forward Steven Hagumintwari made 20 points apiece with the former picking 15 rebounds while Lionel Hakizimana and Olivier Shyaka came off the bench to each contribute 16 points.
Leul Brhane Tafere and Firafis Yifrashewa Feleke each put 13 points on the board for the Ethiopian newcomers but it was not enough to collect victory.
Seasoned shooting guard Stephen Omony led the statistics board for the Oilers with 12 of his 17 points coming from behind the arc. Two-time Zone 5 MVP Landry Ndikumana picked 13 rebounds and made four points.
Small forward James Okello added 12 points while centers Stanley Ocitti and Adarius Pegues had 10 points apiece as the defending champions ticked one box off their to-do-list.
Betway Power had to overcome a slow start to see off Tanzania's ABC 87-55. Michael Kojo came from the bench to post a double double with 11 points, 11 rebounds and two assists while assistant captain Paul Odong added 13 points.
The winner of the tournament will represent Zone 5 at the FIBA Africa Champions Cup set to be held in Tunisia in December.
FIBA