It’s that time of year when the two best teams in the Premier League battle it out for the title. Defending champions Ulinzi Warriors seem unstoppable and are determined to defend the title at all costs. KPA are rejuvenated and looking to bring their best game to the best of 5 series.
We will be breaking down these two teams, looking at their numbers to see who has an edge over the other to bag the championship.
Ulinzi Warriors is a high motor team that relies on pace especially with marksman Eric Mutoro leading their offense. Mutoro is a player who never shies away from attacking the basket. This means KPA’s defense will have to be on high alert to keep him in check. Its no secret that Eric Mutoro will be Ulinzi’s go-to guy. He is currently leading the team in scoring, having averaged 23 points in the just concluded semifinals. Another player to keep an eye on is Ulinzi’s defensive freak, Victor Bosire. A pest and a problem to offense-minded guards. Bosire is an aggressive defender and whoever he guards on defense will have to take care of the ball. Any mistakes will equal fast break points. Bosire averaged 18 points in the semifinals. Another player to keep an eye on in the soldiers’ camp is Joshua Okumu, a fast paced guard who can also shoot the three ball and offer great size defensively especially with his athleticism. Ulinzi also have Byron Mabonga and veteran William Ochieng who give their front court great size to neutralize KPA’s big boom ball.
KPA, who seem to have gotten their groove back in Mombasa against Equity in the semifinals, will be looking to their new breakout superstar Lennox Wanje. The youngster has been giving KPA the much needed ball security. The hype around him being a hometown kid gives Mombasa fans something to smile about. Ulinzi will have to figure out ways to slow him down. We can expect an exciting matchup of either Bosire, Tiberius Menya or Mutoro against Wanje. Whoever it will be, Lennox Wanje will give us a show. He is headed into the series averaging 4.8 assists and 3 steals.
Ken Wachira is another youngster KPA will depend on. His long range three point shots will be vital for KPA’s success in the finals. Wachira is a player who Ulinzi’s defense will have to track at all times because failure to keep him guarded will result to a three point hailstorm on the soldiers camp. He walks into the finals averaging 14.2 points per game.
The front court will be led by Kenya Morans’ Job Byron, a fast-paced big man with great athleticism. They also have Brian Shivachi, Nick Ogol and Frank Omondi. In the bigs department, KPA matches up well with Ulinzi. The battle down low will be the series determiner.
A battle of the ages in a series every basketball fan wanted, all roads lead to Mombasa this weekend. A battle which will be won on the rebounding glass and determined by ball security. Whoever rebounds better and has less turnovers will emerge as the champion.
Technically and tactically the two teams are balanced. The two technical benches have to make necessary adjustments as the series builds up. We don’t want to have a one-sided affair, we want a game to watch.