Semi-finals playoffs

Today

Men: Game One

APR            vs        Patriots     4pm

Espoir        vs        CSK            6pm

Sunday: Game Two

Patriots      vs        APR           3pm

CSK            vs        Espoir        5pm

PATRIOTS Basketball Club take on APR in the best of three semi-final playoffs seeking to upset the odds and qualify for the finals playoffs against either Espoir or Cercle Sportif de Kigali, who square off in the other semis.

Game 1 in both semi-final playoffs is scheduled for today at Amahoro indoor stadium and Game 2 on Sunday at the same venue.

Newly formed Patriots seem to be enjoying their debut season in the national basketball championship after finishing in second position in the regular season ahead of APR and CSK.

Looking ahead to what would ideally be a daunting task of facing APR, who are used to playing in these competitions, Patriots head coach Cyrille Kalima, warned his opponents to expect a more combative side than the one they faced on the regular season league.

He said, "We are ready and looking forward to the challenge ahead with a lot of optimism. Playing against a more experienced APR is going to be a tough call for my players but we will do what we need to do to achieve our target. APR should not underestimate us.”

Winners of the best-of-three semi-finals will qualify for the best-of-five final series. Three-time reigning holders Espoir (Men) and Ubumwe (Women) are defending champions of the playoffs.