NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 22 – Once again, it was a game of fine margins, and just like the previous chapter of the beautiful book of Equity Dumas matching up to Nairobi City Thunder in the Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) Premier League, it was the latter who would cross the line first with a photo-finish. The game was tied at 77-77, with under eight seconds to play. Equity picked possession from a turnover and captain Victor Bosire was blazing down the court to sink what would have been two vital points.
But just under the rim, Garang Ding made a super block to deny him the basket, with the full to capacity Nyayo Gymnazium thundering down with awe. As play restarted, on the other end, Fidel ‘Fathe’ Okoth picked up a rebound after Ariel Okal’s shot had come off the rim, dropping the two-pointer, with three seconds left. It was the end.
Equity could not turn the game from there, and they lost; 79-77 in game one of the semi-final of the national play-offs, on Friday night. “It was a crazy game but once again, my players found a way to win just as they have done all season. It wasn’t easy but I am glad we got it over the line,” Brad Ibs, the Nairobi City Thunder head coach said.
It was a closely contested game, and the emotions threatened to spill over courtside. With three seconds of play after Okoth’s bucket, Equity called a time out and on resumption, restarted the ball in the Thunder half. An enthusiastic fan ran on to Bosire’s face trash-talking him, and the E.