Author: ELKANA KUHENGA
AfricaPress-Tanzania: THE race to Regional Basketball League (RBA) title intensifies today at Harbours court in Dar es Salaam when Ukonga Queens face DB Lioness in Women’s second semifinal match before ABC facing Kurasini Heat test at the same venue later today.
In the quarterfinals stage Kurasini Heat eliminated giants Savio by 2-0, registering 58-51 in the first play-off and ended their onslaught with a 90-58 victory.
During the group stage of the country’s biggest basketball league, Kurasini Heat did well too after bagging 26 points from eleven wins in their 15- game outings.
Their opponents ABC were also outstanding during the play-off stage where they defeated the defending champions Vijana City Bulls by 2-1. Despite the defeat Vijana gave ABC a stiff opposition.
The first match by 81-71 before losing to ABC by 81-71 in the second game before ABC fought hard in the final set to emerge 80-75 victors.
ABC winning had not only begun on the quarterfinal stage, as they also did well in the group stage.
They finished that stage with superiority after winning twelve of their 15 games in men’s league to finish second overall with 27 points. Other clubs that have qualified to semis include JKT and Oilers.
In other men’s quarterfinals; JKT defeated Ukonga Kings by 2-0. They stamped an 85-65 win in their first play-off game before kicking out their opponents with a slim 68-60 win in their second game.
Their opponents Oilers sealed a place to the semis after eliminating Pazi with a 2-0 victory. They registered 80-70 in the first game and went on to win 71-58 in their second game.
The men’s league involved 16 teams while the women’s discipline had only seven teams. The league is expected to reach its climax on October 15th this year.
On men’s league JKT topped the first place with 30 points followed by ABC who hauled 27 points, Kurasini Heat finished third overall with 26 points ahead of the fourth-placed Pazi and Oilers who were placed at the fifth position with 25 points, similarly to Ukonga Kings, Vijana City Bulls and the 8th -placed Savio.
In women’s side, the semifinalists were picked from the four top teams.
JKT Stars were positioned at the top after collecting 12 points from six wins, followed by Ukonga Queens with 10 points similarly to DB Lioness on third and Vijana Queens who finished fourth overall.
