APR VC booked their ticket to the semifinals of the Heroes Cup tournament after eliminating rivals Gisagara VC in five-set thriller Petit Stade indoor gymnasium on Friday, January 31. The pair had to play a decisive tie break after going 2-2 level after four sets (25-22, 19-25, 25-20, 23-25) before the military side took the final set 15-10 to claim a spot in the last four. APR captain Prince Kanamugire outside hitter Dennis Isoke posed a major threat to Gisagara, leaving their defense scrambling throughout the five sets. The Southern Province-based team lost the opening set 22-25 but quickly bounced back to claim the second set and even the score. APR were briefly leading the second set until Gisagara's outside hitter Samuel Niyogisubizo stepped up with sharp spikes and smart placements which gradually eroded an advantage for his side. In the final stretch, Gisagara VC executed a decisive comeback, winning the set 25-19. In the third set, APR appeared to be in control for most of the set, maintaining a slim lead through a mix of powerful serves and clever net play; their aggressive blocks and precise attacks left Gisagara scrambling to find answers. APR’s hitters dominated at the net, repeatedly breaking through Gisagara’s defense to win the set 25-20. But Gisagara weren’t giving up on the game easily. And they proved it when they brought the game level again by winning the fourth set 25-23 to force the match into the tiebreak. ALSO READ: Heroes Tournament to feature 16 teams Despite their resilience, APR closed out the match and emerged victorious after winning the decisive set 15-10. Earlier in the day, Police VC advanced to the semifinals of the Heroes’ Cup tournament after beating Kigali Volleyball Club (KVC) in three sets (21-25, 25-10, 25-09) while Kepler put their foot in the last four after dominating Rwanda Polytechnic Ngoma (25-23, 25-21, 25-18). Another team that qualified for semifinals is Rwanda Energy Group (REG) who defeated East Africa University Rwanda (EAUR) 3-0 (25-13, 25-19, 29-27). Semifinals matches in men’s category will take place on February 1 at Petit Stade Gymnasium, after the qualifying phase in women’s category. Semifinals Fixtures: REG vs Police VC .Kepler vs APR VC
