Game Two Sunday Espoir 60-56 CSKPatriots 66-55 APR Game One Saturday CSK 92-70 EspoirAPR 84-77 Patriots Reigning champions Espoir have reached the basketball playoffs finals for the fourth successive season after edging out bitter rivals Cercle Sportif de Kigali 2-0 in the best-of-three semi-finals. Espoir won the game 1, 92-70 on Saturday and Game 2, 60-55 on Sunday at Amahoro indoor stadium court to take an unassailable 2-0 win. Jean Bahufite’s side, seeking to win a record fourth successive double (regular season title and playoffs trophy), will not face the winner of the other semi-final playoff between APR and Patriots, who are tied 1-1 after the first two games. Espoir’s forward Olivier Shyaka scored 12 and 22 points in Game 1 and 2 respectively and was well supported by shooting guard Lionnel Hakizimana who scored 19 points in Game 1 while power forward Bienvenue Ngandu contributed 14 points. Bahufite told Times Sport on Monday that, “We’re now in the finals, congratulations to my players for yet another brilliant performance. Beating CSK in two games was not easy, I expect the finals to be a little easier.” In other semi-final series, APR won Game 1 on Saturday 84-77 but debutants Patriots recovered to level the series 1-1 after triumphing in Game 2, 66-55. The deciding Game is scheduled for July 25 at Amahoro indoor stadium. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
