Espoir defeated United Generation Basketball Club (UGB) 59-53, while Patriots outscored APR 63-49 on the opening weekend of this year’s basketball pre-season tournament at Club Rafiki on Nyamirambo.

Five-time league champions Espoir were kept in a close range in the first quarter despite winning it 17-13, but their slight superiority saw them claim 13-7 and 15-9 in the second and third quarters, respectively, before UGB recovered to claim the fourth quarter and 14-9.

UGB coach Yves Murenzi was disenchanted with the defeat and said, "We made a slow start and only woke up when it was too late, so because of that, Espoir deserved to win.”

Elsewhere, national league champions Patriots beat rivals APR 63-49 in Group C on the same day, while the other game between the newly formed REG and defending champions IPRC-South in Group B was called off due to rain on Saturday.

On Sunday, APR bounced back in the second game to smash 30-Plus 90-52, while IPRC-South lost 60-61 against IPRC-Kigali. Steve Havugintwari inspired his side to victory with a game high 17 points.

Espoir, who lost in last year’s final against IPRC-South, won their second game in Group B with a 74-45 victory over Cercle Sportif de Kigali (CSK).

Maxime Mwiseneza’s lead the group with six points and are all but through to last four albeit still having a game against UGB on Saturday.

In the women’s category, Ubumwe unexpectedly pulled out of the competition, leaving only The Hoops and IPRC-South to fight for the title.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw