Kenya Prisons cage KCB to inch closer to reclaiming title

Kenya Prisons middleblocker Immaculate Chemutai (centre) in action against KCB during finals of the KVF League play-offs at Kasarani Stadium on Friday. [KVF Media]

Former champions Kenya Prisons were in a class of their own as they trounced holders Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) 3-0 to take a 1-0 lead of the three-match series. 

Prisons who are looking to reclaim the title they last won in 2021 are a match away from accomplishing their mission. A win in Saturday’s clash will see them dethrone the bankers who are hoping to bounce back and revive their hopes of retaining their title.

Prisons coach Josp Barasa lauded his charges for remaining resilient despite a scare from KCB in the first set. 

“My approach to this final was to start strong and I’m glad that we played well and secured a very crucial win. My aim is to complete the task in the second match but if it doesn't happen tomorrow (today) then we will just have to go to the third,” Barasa said.

Prisons were without doubt the stronger side taking a 6-1 first set lead as the champions struggled to settle in the match. 

KCB would trail for the better part of the set before recovering to level the score 17-17 following numerous net violations and service errors from their opponents and a brilliant show from Belinda Barasa whose blocks slowed Prisons down.

The match would turn to a neck-to-neck battle as both sides alternately scored points. KCB would take their only lead of the match with the score at 22-20 before Prisons levelled matters 22-22.  

The bankers seemed to have found their footing with a 24 apiece score but faltered again as the wardens snatched the first set 26-24.

There was no looking back for Prisons as they dominated the remaining two sets taking the second 25-16 and the third 25-17 to secure victory and put one hand on the trophy. 

Today’s tie will be a do-or-die affair for KCB who must win or relinquish their crown should Prisons triumph.

Today, former holders Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) will take on Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in the women’s third place playoffs encounter while Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) will lock horns with Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) in the men’s tie. 

KPC who won bronze during this year’s Africa Club championships will be looking to secure a podium finish. DCI on the other hand will be out to break the jinx that has always seen them finish behind the big three that’s Kenya Prisons, KCB and KPC