The Rwanda Basketball League playoffs tipped off thrillingly on Friday night at BK Arena, with Patriots BBC and REG BBC drawing first blood in their respective semifinal matchups.
Both teams delivered strong performances, setting the tone for what promises to be an intense best-of-five series.
In the headline clash, Patriots BBC handed APR BBC a sobering 78-61 defeat, giving the newly crowned Rwandan champions a harsh reality check in Game 1. The highly anticipated matchup carried extra weight, as APR is not only defending their domestic title but also represents Rwanda in the Basketball Africa League (BAL).
From the opening tip, Patriots BBC showed they meant business, taking control early behind the leadership of point guard Williams Isiah Rasheed, who tallied 16 points and 6 assists.
Alongside him, Cadeau de Dieu Furaha added 15 points, while new signing Putney Raphiael Rashad chipped in with 13 points, helping Patriots dominate the first half.
Patriots stormed through the first two quarters, winning 21-13 in the opening period and 24-18 in the second, entering halftime with a commanding 45-31 lead.
APR’s struggles were compounded when their star center, Aliou Diarra, was forced to leave the game in the second quarter due to an injury, a major blow that limited their inside presence for the remainder of the contest.
Despite trailing, APR showed resilience in the third quarter. James Maye Jr’s squad made defensive adjustments and managed to reduce the deficit, narrowly taking the quarter 16-12 to head into the final frame trailing by just 10 points. Antino Jackson led APR’s scoring effort with 19 points, while Youssoupha Ndoye added 10 points and Axel Mpoyo contributed 8.
However, Patriots closed the door in the fourth quarter, maintaining their composure and outscoring APR 21-14 to seal a convincing 78-61 victory. The win not only gives the Patriots a crucial 1-0 lead in the best-of-five series but also serves as a strong statement of intent as they aim to return to the continental stage for the first time in five years. Meanwhile, APR faces immediate pressure to bounce back if they hope to continue their quest for a third consecutive BAL appearance.
REG downs UGB in game 1
In the other semifinal matchup, REG BBC defeated UGB BBC 82-74, thanks to a spectacular 33-point performance by Cleveland Thomas Jr. REG controlled much of the game, showing their playoff experience and depth. At the same time, UGB put up a strong fight but ultimately fell short.
With both series now underway, all eyes turn to Game 2, scheduled for Sunday, June 22, at BK Arena. UGB will face REG at 4:00 PM, followed by the much-anticipated second showdown between Patriots and APR at 6:30 PM.
With the semifinals played in a best-of-five format, the stakes are only getting higher as teams battle for a coveted spot in the championship final.
Photos by Innocent Shema
