HENRY Mwinuke, the head coach of Patriots basketball club, has urged his players to stay focused and consider Game 5 of the playoffs finals as a do-or-die clash as they seek to retain the title come August 10.

Holders Patriots overcame archrivals REG 74-71 in Game 4 of the best-of-five finals on Friday to level the series to 2-2 following Game 3 defeat last Thursday.

Rwanda Energy Group, (REG) won Game 3 in a 57-54 narrow victory.

"We want to play the last game as if our lives depend on it, my players must be up to the task and give it 100%. Despite winning Game 4, I don’t think we played our best basketball – we can do better and that is what I expect in Game 5,” the Tanzania-born coach told Times Sport yesterday.

"We are going to prepare rigorously and tackle the mental aspect of the game, we won’t be taking any chances,” he further added.

In a separate interview, his REG counterpart Patrick Ngwijuruvugo regretted their Game 4 defeat but insisted his side will fight with all they got to win the title – the only title on domestic scene they are yet to win since the club’s formation three years ago.

The title-deciding Game 5 fixtures in both categories – men and women – will be played on Friday at Amahoro Indoor Stadium.

In the women’s fray, holders APR will be tussling it out with hopefuls IPRC- South for the crown.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw