Today

Espoir vs Patriots 7pm

Saturday

UR-CASS vs APR 1pmIPRC-Kigali vs U18 Boys Team 3pm

Women

The Hoops vs UR-CASS 11amAPR vs Ubumwe 5pm

Sunday

Rusizi vs IPRC-South 10amCSK vs UGB 11am

National basketball League reigning champions Espoir are keen to halt Patriots Basketball Club’s unbeaten run when the two giants square-off today evening at Amahoro indoor stadium.

Should Patriots, who are on a 10-game winning streak this season win, they will be the first team to beat Espoir twice in one season since APR six years ago. Henry Mwinuke’s Patriots won the first round game 77-65 on January 22.

It will also be a major step forward as they bid to become the first team, other than, Espoir to win the regular season league title in five years.

Espoir, who overcame Huye-based IPRC-South 65-58 last Saturday, areoptimistic to end the losing run against Patriots, who have won their last two meetings—the other loss came during the Heroes’ Day tournament final last month.

Speaking to Times Sport on Wednesday, Espoir coach Jean Bahufite said that the team is in great shape for the game, noting that they are fired up to prove they are the same old Espoir, which has won the regular season league and playoffs in the last four consecutive seasons.

"This is one of the biggest games of the season, a game that we can’t afford to lose. Patriots are a strong team with good players, which will only make the game more intense, but I’ve told my players to take it easy,enjoy themselves and avoid unnecessary mistakes,” Bahufite said.

As it stands, Patriots are top with 20 points, two points ahead of IPRC-South (2nd) and Espoir (3rd) while IPRC-Kigali stands in fourth position, a point behind. CSK, who finished fourth last season, are at the bottom of the ten-team table with 9 points.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw