By GPC Sports Reporter
Nairobi City Thunder completed an unbeaten three-peat as Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) League champions after defeating Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) 74–70 in Game 3 of the best-of-five playoff final at Kasarani on Friday night.
Thunder, who entered the final unbeaten, sealed the championship 3–0 after overcoming KPA in three closely contested games to retain the title for a third consecutive season.
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KPA made a strong start in the deciding game, taking an 18–27 lead after the opening quarter. Thunder reduced the deficit to six points by halftime, trailing 35–29, before producing their best spell of the night in the third quarter.
The champions outscored KPA 24–13 in the third period to take a 53–48 lead into the final quarter. They held their nerve in the closing minutes to secure the 74–70 victory and complete the series sweep.
Captain Tylor Ongwae led Thunder with 24 points and 14 rebounds, while Garang Diing added 15 points and six rebounds. Derrick Ogechi contributed 13 points, with Eugene Adera finishing with 10 points, five rebounds and four assists.
For KPA, Salim Kisilu led the scoring with 17 points, followed by Tobias Odhiambo with 13.
Thunder had opened the final with a dramatic 78–67 overtime victory over KPA on Saturday, September 26. Adera hit a three-pointer with two seconds remaining in regulation to send the match into overtime, where Thunder dominated 19–8 to take a 1–0 series lead.
They followed that with a 72–63 victory in Game 2 at Makande Gymnasium on Sunday, September 27, moving within one win of retaining their crown. Ongwae led Thunder with 20 points in that game, while Ogechi added 18 and Adera 11.
Thunder head coach Brad Ibs praised his players for their resilience after recovering from the early deficit in the decisive game.
“It was a very intense series and KPA were very competitive,” Ibs said. “This was a testimony of how we go about our work despite having a great team.”
Ibs also highlighted the impact of financial literacy sessions provided to the players through the club’s partnership with I&M Bank.
“We had financial training sessions two times and that boosted the morale of these players,” he said. “Financial management is one of the things that can derail your life as a player.”
Congratulations
I&M Bank Assistant General Manager, Legal Department, Andrew Muchina congratulated Thunder, saying the team’s preparation reflected the values the bank wanted to associate with through its partnership with the club.
“Congratulations to NCT for the win. The players were meticulous in their preparation and that is what we want to be associated with,” Muchina said.
Muchina said the players had also embraced financial education aimed at helping them manage their finances beyond their basketball careers.
Thunder’s Garang Diing said KPA had pushed the champions throughout the final but praised the support they had received from I&M Bank both on and off the court.
“KPA brought us their best and it was a very entertaining game,” Diing said. “I&M have been very encouraging to us from both fronts, both financial and beyond the court.”
He added: “We have had financial literacy sessions with them to understand money more. Thank you, our fans, for coming out today to support us.”
The title caps another dominant season for Thunder, who have established themselves as the leading force in Kenyan basketball in recent years.
The victory also marked another milestone in the partnership between I&M Bank and Nairobi City Thunder, with the bank supporting the team during a season in which it successfully defended its league title.
This is the third consecutive season that Thunder have won the KBF League unbeaten, extending a remarkable run that began with their unbeaten championship in 2024.
