Nairobi Combined capture Abe Linc title

By Douglas Mazune Falcons 45 Nairobi 82 (men) Falcons 62 Knights 50 (Jr) A-1 42 Mombasa 53 (women) KENYAN international forward Juma Ikapian spurred Nairobi Combined with 20 points as his side humiliated defending champions Falcons to capture the ninth edition of the Abe Linc International basketball tournament Sunday. Veteran Ben Oluoch added 19 points for Nairobi before a capacity crowd at YMCA, Wandegeya. Nairobi coach Ronnie Owino said that despite their victory Ugandan basketball has improved tremendously. “We were bound to win, our team is a collection of players from several clubs. Seven of them are on the national team, but I must admit that basketball has improved a lot in Uganda,” Owino also national coach for Kenya said. “I think Ugandan clubs have reached our level.” Steven Omony and Nimrod Kaboha contributed 10 and 12 points in Falcons’ dismal show. Mombasa Combined held off a late charge by A-1 Challenge to retain the women’s title. Susan Agoya propelled Mombasa with 14 points and Irene Wangui added 11 - nine of which came through three 3-pointers. In the juniors’ final, Falcons triumphed over Knight Riders. Earlier in the semi-finals Falcons eliminated Mombasa Combined while Nairobi ejected Charging Rhino. Club Pilsner, BB soda, Hillside High School, KKL, DSTV, YMCA Wandegeya and Sharing Youth centre sponsored the tournament organised by Rhino Athletics Club. Teams from Tanzania, Rwanda and Congo did not show up. ends