TuesdayWomen semifinal playoffsGame threeAPR 56-39 The Hoops

Reigning women basketball league champions APR will take on IPRC-South in the best-of-five final series of the ongoing 2017 playoffs after knocking out their regular rivals The Hoops in the semifinal decisive game that took place on Tuesday at Amahoro indoor stadium.

The military side had won the first game 61-56, but they were stunned by a youthful side of the Hoops by 61-48 to force a third and decisive game.

The defeat acted as a wakeup call for Charles Mbazumutima’s side that has enjoyed a very successful season. APR rolled up their sleeves in the third game and comfortably eased past The Hoops with 56-39 score to advance to the final with a 2-1 win.

APR took the first quarter 9-6 and in the second quarter, they improved on their pace and claimed it 13-8.

In the third quarter, The Hoops tried to bounce back but lost with a slim margin (16-14) before APR finished off the job in the fourth quarter, which they claimed 19-9 to wrap up the game with 56-39 win.

Blandine Munyambonera dropped the game’s high 19 points to guide APR to victory.

They will now lock horns with IPRC-South that knocked out defending champions Ubumwe.  The finals first game is slated for July 14 at Amahoro indoor stadium.

APR are chasing a quartet this season after clinching the league title plus the Genocide memorial local and regional edition titles.

Meanwhile in the men’s category, league champions REG will battle it out with former champions Patriots after both sides knocked out their opponents in the first two games.

REG defeated Espoir 63-60 and 87-76 to progress with a 2-0 aggregate and likewise Patriots knocked out IPRC-Kigali 74-69 and 87-79 to progress on a 2-0 aggregate score. The first game is also scheduled for July 14 at Amahoro indoor stadium.