MARYAn SIYAD/ Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) head coach Sammy Mulinge proudly shook off the underdog label for his team as they dominated the court, defeating reigning champions General Service Unit 3-0 on Day 2 of the men’s KVF playoffs at the Kasarani Indoor Arena.
KPA secured victory with sets of 25-23, 25-22, and 25-14. Head coach Sammy Mulinge expressed his pride in his team’s effort, noting, “The game intensified, but we held our nerve and came out on top. Beating the defending champions was a tinge of what we are capable of. Despite being considered underdogs initially, we proved ourselves,”
Ports had started the playoffs badly, losing to Kenya Prisons 3-1. They lost the first two sets 25-18, 25-21 before winning the third 25-21 and losing the last set 25-18.
“We lost yesterday because we didn’t play well. We sat down and talked with the players and agreed to move forward as a team. We won the match because there was remarkable improvement in the defence,” he concluded.
KPA will face Kenya Defence Forces on the final day of the playoffs and have promised to end the tourney on a high note.
On their part, GSU head coach Gideon Tarus attributed their defeat to KPA to a lack of finishing power.
“Today everything didn’t go well for us and this is not what we prepared for. Even after talking to players, things didn’t still go down well for us,” said Tarus.
GSU had started their campaign with a win, beating KDF 3-2 in a five-set thriller on Monday.
They won the first two sets 25-21, and 25-22 before being punished by KDF in the next two sets courtesy of 25-22, and 25-23. They then bounced back to win the deciding set 15-11.
The tactician stated that his charges did not have enough time to prepare after the KDF game on Monday.
“Yesterday, we played late and went home late so that’s why our game plan didn’t work out. Our preps were not enough,” said the tactician.
He expressed faith in his players, vowing to regroup and make a comeback in their upcoming match against Kenya Prisons today.
“Ahead of tomorrow’s game, my side must play with all their energy as I still have faith in them. It will be difficult to finish at the top right now as the first team already has six points all we can do now is make sure we win tomorrow and prepare for next season,” he concluded.
In a separate match, Kenya Prisons (men) beat Kenya Defence Forces 3-0 ( 25-21, 25-18, and 25-22 ).
Meanwhile, KCB coach Japheth Munala is delighted after overcoming a brave DCI side in straight sets of 28-26, 25-17 and 25-15.
“DCI gave us a lot of problems. Four of their players were formerly with KCB. We trained with them for a long time before they moved,” said Munala.
“They don’t see us as a threat and that’s why they gave us competition. It happens every time we meet. Last season was a close shave as the game ended 3-2 but this year we managed to beat them 3-0. ”
His DCI counterpart, Daniel Bor, said they lacked focus.
“We started the game very well but we lost concentration. Reception and attack became a problem and that cost us,” said Bor.
DCI play Kenya Prisons on Wednesday.
