Friday, June 20 Semi-finals-Game 1 REG 82-74 UGB Patriots 78-61 APR Patriots gave their domestic rivals APR a reality check in the Rwanda Basketball League playoffs, after beating them 78-61 in semifinals Game 1 at BK Arena on Friday night. Point guard Williams Isiah Rasheed contributed 16 points and 6 assists to the win, as Patriots handed the Rwandan champions a big upset in what promises to be a tough best-of-five series. The playoffs started at a big pace given that, among other reasons, the champions represent Rwanda in the Basketball Africa League (BAL). While APR seek to go back to the continental competition for the third time in a row, Patriots also set a reminder that they want to return to the big stage for the first time in five years. Sunny Niyomugabo’s charges dominated the first two quarters, taking first 21-13 and the second 24-18 to go into half-time leading 45-31. APR looked a different side with their star center Aliou Diarra who was taken off in the second quarter after suffering an injury. James Maye Jr’s men came into the second half looking more energized, making less defensive mistakes to steal the third quarter 16-12 to narrow the deficit to 10 points after going into the final quarter. However, Patriots remained superior as they took the final quarter 21-14 to take home Game 1 with merit. Cadeau de Dieu Furaha contributed 15 points while new signing Putney Raphiael Rashad added 13 points. On the other side, Antino Jackson topped APR’s score-sheet with 19 points, followed by Youssoupha Ndoye who scored 10 points as Axel Mpoyo contributed 8 points. Meanwhile, REG also took Game 1 of the semifinals playoffs after beating UGB 82-74 courtesy of a stellar performance from Cleveland Thomas Jr who dropped 33 points in the win. The teams return to action for Game 2 on Sunday, June 22 at BK Arena. The semifinals will be played in a best-of-five series.
