The final round of the Nakuru Universities Colleges League playoff games 2023 took place yesterday at Kabarak University and as promised from last week’s action, the games were electric.

The much anticipated match between Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT NAKURU) and Rift Valley Institute of Science and Technology (RVIST) to determine the top seed saw a game full of pulsating action and both teams not wanting to give an inch of space for their opponents to score a basket.

JKUAT emerged the best with RVIST coming in second. The match ended 47-42.

The other match played in the men’s category was between Kabarak University and Nakuru Teachers Training College (NTTC).

Read: RVIST sends JKUAT back to the drawing board in second round of basketball playoffs

This time, with Kabarak having pressure not to let down their home fans managed to keep NTTC at bay defeating them 48-41.

In the upcoming semi-finals, JKUAT will face the winner of the match between Egerton and Kenyatta University.

Kabarak University will go up against their arch rivals RVIST in what is termed as the 'Moi derby'. If the matches played in the past is anything to go by, this will be very intriguing.

NK Panthers player making a shot against RVIST during the play off games at Kabarak University on October 28, 2023.

Photo credit: BRET SANYA/MTAA WANGU

As for the women’s category, the games will be played in a round robin format where all the teams will face each other and the one with the most wins will emerge as the overall winner.

In the matches played today, the Panthers played RVIST and won 18-13. Panthers also played against Kabarak and Kabarak won 19-18.

Also Read: Basketball rivals JKUAT and RVIST meet again at Nakuru universities and colleges league

In the women’s Moi Derby, RVIST defeated Kabarak 18-15. The next round of matches will be played next weekend.

Fidel Ongolla the Secretary General Nakuball Sports says the competitions have been very impressive so far.

“The teams are looking very competitive and the quality of basketball that has been displayed is high quality. This speaks to the work we are trying to do and that is in growing the game of basketball in Nakuru,” he said.

He added that the next stage of competitions is expected to be more competitive.

“I am really looking forward to the Moi Derby. These two teams have been going at each other and this will of course be a very interesting match to watch,” he said.

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RVIST, Kabarak, to face off in hyped up Moi derby

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Bret Sanya