Saturday results REG 64-49 Patriots
Rwanda Energy Group (REG) Basketball Club will represent Rwanda in the 2022 Basketball Africa League (BAL) season after sweeping local rivals Patriots in the best-of-three finals to clinch the domestic league title.
Henry Mwinuka’s high-flying REG side ended Patriots’ domestic dominance with a convincing 2-0 series after defeating them on Saturday, October 29, at Kigali Arena in a tightly-contested 64-49 victory.
Patriots started the game with a win in the first quarter 14-11 as they were trying to win the second game and force the finals to game three but REG bounced back to claim the second quarter with 17-13.
Returning for the second half, REG picked it from where they left off, showing some spirit of dominance the third quarter with 20-11 before snatching the final quarter 16-11 to end Patriots’ hopes of representing the country in the BAL for the second time in a row.
Star man Olivier Shyaka posted a game high 22 points while Adonis Jovon Filer and shooting guard Beleck Bell Engelbert added 14 and 11 points respectively.
The in-form national team skipper for rewarded with a Most Valuable Player (MVP) prize for the 2021/22 Basketball National League season, particularly thanks to his impressive performance during the playoffs.
Meanwhile The Hoops Rwanda on Saturday defeated REG BBC with 46-44 points in game 2 of the playoff finals to go level with apiece and leave a room to play the third and decisive game on Sunday from which the winner will crowned champions.
Men’s team of the year
Best Point Guard: Adonis Jovon Filer (REG)
Best Shooting Guard: Beleck Bell Engelbert (REG)
Best Forward: Dieudonné Ndizeye (Patriots)
Best Power Forward: Olivier Shyaka (REG)
Best Center: Bush Wamukota (Patriots)
Coach of the Season: Henry Mwinuka (REG)
Past champions since 2010
2021: REG
2020: Patriots
2019: Patriots
2018: Patriots
2017: REG
2016: Patriots
2015: Espoir
2014: Espoir
2013: Espoir
2012: Espoir
2011: Kigali Basketball Club
2010: APR