Friday

Semi-finals, Game 3

APR           Vs      Patriots    19:00

Espoir        Vs      REG           21:00

Defending champions Patriots will be optimistic to win Game 3 and take control of their semi-final series when they face APR Friday night at Amahoro Stadium. Kick-off 7pm.

After the first two games, in the best-of-five semi-final matches, Patriots and the former league giants are level 1-1.

Karim Nkusi’s APR won Game 1 in a 87-80 victory last Friday before holders Patriots bounced back to take the second game 63-51 the next day.

In another semi-final Game 3 fixture, a win against Espoir will see hopefuls Rwanda Energy Group (REG) through to the best-of-seven finals after winning the first two games last weekend.

Major change

Unlike in the past – up until last season – where the playoffs were a separate tournament from the Bank of Kigali National Basketball League, this year’s playoffs are an extension of the league, and feature the best four teams from the regular season.

Also, the semi-finals format have been changed from three to five games, while the finals will be a seven-game series.

Just like the famous National Basketball Association (NBA) league, playoff games will – from this year forth – be the ones determining the champions, with the 2018/2019 winners to be crowned next month.

editor@newtimesrwanda.com