Friday APR 70-63 Patriots REG 93-53 Espoir Power forward William Robeyns scored a game-high 16 points and four rebounds to power APR past Patriots a 70-63 victory at BK Arena on Friday night, August 25, to take home Game 2 in the basketball league semifinals playoffs. The 27-year-old proved his worth as his stellar performance put the military side, who lead the series with a 2-0 record, in pole position of advancing to the finals. Playoffs: Patriots hope to bounce back against APR Patriots had a bright start to the game, winning the first two quarters 20-12 and 17-15 to lead the game 37-27 at the break but APR showed some energy, pace and fighting spirit to take the third quarter 21-9 and the fourth 22-17 to make it two wins out of a possible two games in the best-of-five series. ALSO READ: Playoffs: APR assistant coach calls for consistency after Game 1 win DeMarcus Holland contributed 14 points while Ntore Habimana and Axel Mpoyo added 13 and 12 points. Small forward Steven Havugintwari led the way for Patriots with 20 points, followed by forward Germaine Vashon Roebuck Jr who scored 15 points. Patriots have been struggling during the past two playoffs games and the absence of star guard Michael Dixon, who is out through injury, has affected the team’s title ambitions recently. With or without the American-Georgian new signing, the former champions will have to roar back in crucial Game 3 on Sunday, August 27, at BK Arena or a third straight defeat will end their dreams of playing the Basketball Africa League in 2023. Meanwhile, APR have been showing no signs of “going back” and they will be looking to finish the semifinal business in style in what looks like a defining season to prove their title credentials. Elsewhere, Olivier Shyaka scored 14 points and 5 rebounds as Rwanda Energy Group(REG) beat Espoir 93-53 to take home Game 2 in as many games in another best-of-five semifinal series. ALSO READ:PHOTOS: Playoffs: Nshobozwa posts 20 points as APR beat Patriots in Game 1 Winners of the semifinals series will book a ticket to the finals which will be played in a best-of-seven series format. The champions will represent Rwanda at the 2024 Basketball Africa League (BAL).
