Patriots BBC took control of their semifinal series with a hard-fought 65-59 win over rivals APR BBC in Game 3, putting themselves just one win away from booking a spot in the Rwanda Basketball League finals.
It was a do-or-die game for APR, who came in looking to bounce back, but Patriots star guard Williams Isiah Rasheed had other plans, leading all scorers with 22 points, 7 assists, and 2 steals.
Despite trailing 37-33 at halftime, the Patriots turned the tide with a dominant third quarter, outscoring APR 19-5 to take a decisive lead. APR fought back in the final frame, winning the quarter 17-13, but it wasn’t enough to undo the damage. With the win, Patriots now lead the best-of-five series 2-1.
Game 3 was truly a battle of wills. APR came out strong, taking the first quarter 22-18 and showing flashes of the resilience that’s defined their season. But the second half exposed cracks, especially in the third quarter, where they struggled to convert and allowed Patriots to create a 10-point cushion.
For the Patriots, the ability to stay composed under pressure and execute when it mattered most was key. With Game 4 looming on Friday, June 28, the Patriots will look to close out the series and return to the championship stage, while APR faces another must-win moment to stay alive in the playoffs.
On the other side of the bracket, REG BBC became the first team to book a ticket to the finals after completing a 3-0 series sweep against UGB BBC.
In a commanding Game 3 performance, Jean Jacques Boissy once again stepped up, delivering a near triple-double with 27 points, 7 rebounds, and 8 assists.
REG maintained control throughout the series and proved why they’re among the league’s elite, showing consistency, chemistry, and playoff maturity. As they await their opponent in the finals, REG will benefit from extra rest and momentum, while Patriots and APR continue their hard-fought battle for the second finals spot.
