REG, APR win Genocide memorial regional tourney titles

Sunday Men’s finalREG 81-69 Espoir Third placePatriots 65-56 IPRC-South VeteransUGB (Rwa) 58-71 VC Bakolo (DRC) Women’s finalBerco Stars (Bdi) 58-72 APR Third placeIPRC-South 33-44 Scandinavia (DRC) Rwanda Energy Group (men) and APR women basketball club were on Sunday crowned the champions of the 2017 Genocide Memorial Tournament, regional edition. The annual tournament, organized by the Rwanda basketball federation to commemorate the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, started on June 9, attracting sixteen teams, including eight from outside Rwanda, concluded on Sunday at Amahoro indoor stadium. The men’s final game pitted local rivals REG and Espoir, the same two teams that had faced off in the final of the local edition a week ago with the latter claiming the title. Unlike last week, it was r Jean Bahufite’s REG that had the last laugh clinched their first competitive title in their first first-they won 81-69, thanks to Kami Kabange’s 20 points, who was also named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP). Before this weekend’s achievement, REG, who are odds on to win this season’s league title, had lost in two finals including the pre-season tourney at the hands of Patriots and last weekend against Espoir. During the final Espoir’s center and team captain Olivier Shyaka scored a game high 22 points while his teammate Pascal Niyonkuru dropped 18 points but it was not enough to guide their team to victory. REG dethroned Patriots, who had won last season’s title. The reigning league champions have had a disappointing campaign this time round, finishing fourth in the local edition and third in the regional edition. In the third-place playoff, Henry Mwinuka’s Patriots defeated IPRC-South 65-56 to claim bronze medal. Meanwhile in the women category, APR sealed a double after defeating defending champions Berco Stars from Burundi 72-58. The reigning league champions had won the local edition. Scandinavia from DR Congo defeated IPRC-South 44-33 in the third-place playoff. APR point guard, Sandra Kantore was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP). The veterans’ category, VC Bakolo from DR Congo defeated UGB from Rwanda 71-58 to walk away with the trophy. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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REG, APR win Genocide memorial regional tourney titles