3x3 Africa Cup magic pushing KPA towards greatness in AWBL

 

ALEXANDRIA (Egypt) - Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) are 3-0 in group A of the ongoing Africa Women's Basketball League (AWBL) after defeating Université de Douala 74-59 in a highly physical encounter that got day 4 action underway. 

The Antony Ojukwu-coached dockers had a better start than they have in the last two wins, leading 16-20 in the first while adding 19-11 in the next for 35-21 heading to the halftime break. They led 22-20 in the third before a 17-18 performance in the last stanza for the win. 

KPA boast the 3x3 African Cup-winning trio of Most Valuable Player (MVP) Natalie Akinyi, the towering Madina Okot and veteran Hilda Indasi whose experience has been instrumental in their run.

 

Coach Ojukwu, in his post-game interview after the side's third win, admitted that the trio forms a core of his team and their chemistry has immensely helped the side win adding that their experience would continue giving the Kenyan champions positive results. 

Akinyi, who picked the MVP award in the 3X3, having had a monumental buzzer-beater that won the competition against Egypt, agreed with the tactician adding: "3x3 is all about offense. We are working to achieve the same here in every match and that has pushed us to these results so far," Natalie said.

Okot says playing alongside the experienced duo and against other tough teams has hardened her and she is a better player in this competition partly because of it. 

"Having been in the national team camp together and making the transition to the club competition has given us enough time to gel and that has translated on the court. Winning the African title here is also serving as motivation for us to keep fighting, just as we did and remain focused on our target," the 19-year-old offered. 

As for Indasi, one of the most experienced players that KPA have in their ranks, says being 3x3 Africa Cup champions remains a motivation and they want to do it twice in Egypt. 

"Watching us play here, one can see the level of understanding we have with each other. Natalie and Madina are bailing each other in different situations and their movements are beautiful to watch," Indasi says. 

The shooting guard, however, admits that defensively it can be a setback but says the trio has been keen not to be caught in the wrong. 

"We have to keep reminding ourselves that we need to go and help on the paint when situations demand that," she opined. 

Natalie Akinyi

The biggest takeaway from the 3x3 Africa Cup for Indasi that she is bringing to the AWBL and urging her players to believe in is the fighting spirit.  The Kenyan side was down 6 points with a minute to play in the continental championship earlier in the month but clawed their way back to win it at the buzzer. 

"That was a magical moment and I expect more of that from all of us. We will take our rights in this competition to the last whistle as we know anything is possible," she concluded. 

The side plays Alexandria Sporting Club on Friday in a matchup likely to decide which team leads Group A. 

FIBA