Saturday REG 3-1 UTB APR 3-2 Gisagara Rwanda Energy Group (REG) overpowered University of Tourism Technology and Business Studies (UTB) in four sets on Saturday night at Petit Stade in Remera to become the first team to book a ticket to finals of the 2018 volleyball playoff games. REG set date with the winner between reigning champions Gisagara and hopefuls APR. The latter upset champions in a five-set thriller to tie the series to 1-1 after the Gisagara District-sponsored outfit had outclassed the military side in Game 1, in straight sets. In Game 2 clash against UTB, Jean-Paul Mana’s REG had a shaky start but refused to lie low despite losing the first set 25-22 to take the next three sets. Right-attacker Aimable Mutuyimana, inarguably the man of the match, was on lethal form with faultless services and unstoppable smashes, guiding his star-studded side to a 25-20 second set win and 25-18 in the third set before finishing the job with a 25-20 fourth and final set victory. After a comfortable a 3-0 Game 1 win on May 5, Fidèle Nyirimana’s Gisagara needed Saturday’s win to book a finals spot but APR had a different agenda on the night. The military side lost the opening set 23-25 but responded quickly to take the second one 25-21. Holders Gisagara claimed the third set 25-21 but APR, again, bounced back to win the fourth by a similar margin, hence necessitating the fifth set, which they won 15-10 to stun the reigning champions. Game 3 between holders Gisagara and former champions APR will be played on May 19. Meanwhile, in the women’s category, the four teams to vie for league title in play-offs include holders Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA), APR, Ruhango and Kigali Volleyball Club (KVC). Defending champions RRA will entertain KVC while former champions APR will be up against Ruhango in the best-of-three semi-final series. Game 1 fixtures will be played this Saturday. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
