Friday

UGB Vs Shoot for Stars 7pm

Espoir Vs IPRC-Kigali 7pm

REG Vs APR 9pm

Coach Cliff Owuor and his APR hoopers have put Patriots defeat behind them as they return back on court this Friday night gunning for a quick comeback to winning ways when they take on the new-look REG with Adonis Filer and Cleveland Thomas likely to rejoin the latter’s roster.

This could be a potential playoff matchup this season with both teams enjoying a good season prior to the clash.

REG trail Patriots by a point in second place with 16 points and remain unbeaten in their last eight games, while APR dropped to third after a major setback last weekend with the only loss in six games against Patriots.

"I think we have been preparing well for REG and (the) guys are in good spirits,” APR coach Cliff Owuor told Weekend Sport.

"We are focused on the game and correcting some of the mistakes that we made in our past game. And we are very optimistic,” he added.

The tactician, however, acknowledged that it would take an extra stretch to register a win against their title rivals in REG.

"Overall we are good and with the inclusion of (guard) Ntore Habimana we think he is something good to the team and that adds to the chances of performing well for the team,” he said.

With all the teams stacked on their rosters, Owuor projects quite an "interesting” season ahead.

"Because the dynamics are changing every day and it's healthy for the game of basketball in the country.”

Important win for REG

American Dean Murray will be coaching his first game on Friday since he signed for REG last week after watching from the stands when the club beat Espoir last weekend.

Murray expects the team to play "the same way” to keep their winning streak when they face APR, as he doesn’t intend to change much on a team setup that has been together quite some weeks.

"Obviously right now it's difficult to just come here and change a lot of stuff,” he said.

"So we're just going to basically play the same way that the team has been playing. I am relying on the assistant coaches to help me on Friday because, for me personally, I still need a couple weeks to get adjusted to the team,” he added.

Will Adonis and Cleveland play?

Murray was tightlipped on the possibility of fielding Adonis Filer and Cleveland Thomas Jr during Friday’s clash against APR.

He was informed that both players have been placed on the preliminary roster for the game and, if all goes according to plan, he hopes to have them on the court.

"I know it's an important game for the REG management and all the fans and as far as I know right now, I think Adonis and Cleveland will play on Friday,” he said