Friday Patriots 63-58 REG Patriots basketball club point guard Sedar Sagamba posted a game high 17 points as the holders overcame hopefuls Rwanda Energy Group (REG) 63-58 in Game 1 of the best-of-five finals on Friday night at Amahoro indoor stadium. Henry Mwinuke’s Patriots and REG started off to a balanced and entertaining game, playing a 14-all first quarter before the later snatched the second quarter 13-12 to go into half-time break with a narrow 27-26 lead. Returning for the second half, Patriots proved too strong for Patrick Ngwijuruvugo’s side in all aspects – more solid in defense and quick in attack – which resulted into an effortless 24-11 third quarter win. REG threatened to come back in the final quarter and it almost worked, but a 20-13 score-line was not enough to save the day for the red and black outfits. “This is a very good step forward, winning the first game of the series is always a massive boost. Now we can dream of retaining the title unbeaten, and it’s possible,” Patriots coach Mwinuke told Sunday Sport in a post-match interview on Friday. Game 2 between the two sides will be played on July 27. Last year, Patriots recovered from Game 1 loss to outplay REG in four games (3-1) in the finals. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
