Today

Game Three

Men

Espoir vs Patriots 3pm

Women

APR vs Ubumwe 1pm

Third place play-off

Women

UR- CASS vs The Hoops 11am

Holders Espoir and contenders Patriots Basketball Club square off this afternoon in Game Three of the best-of-five finals series play-off finals at Amahoro’s Petit State court at 3p.m.

The series are tied at 1-1 going into today’s game and a win for either side would put them in pole position going into Saturday’s Game Four. Patriots won Game One 81-74 last Saturday while Espoir claimed Game Two 68-67 on Sunday.

Newly formed Patriots are enjoying their maiden campaign in the national basketball league having finished second ahead of the likes of APR and CSK but coach Cyrille Kalima says winning the playoff title remains his team’s top target.

"Winning the play-off title would complete a perfect debut season in the national league, so we are prepared to give our very best for the rest of the series.”

"Espoir have been the best team in the league in the past four years, and they are the favourtes (to win the playoffs), but I’m confident we can shock them as we did in Game One,” the former KCB coach told Times Sport on Thursday.

In a separate interview, his opposite number, Jean Bahufite of Espoir, admitted that his team was facing their toughest finals since 2012.

"The finals against Patriots are the most challenging we have faced since 2012; they are so organised and can upset anyone. We need to be focused.”

editorial@newtimes.co.rw