Sunday, September 1 Game 2 Kepler 68-107 Patriots REG 60-65 APR Patriots and APR basketball club put one foot into the finals of the betPawa Playoffs finals after making it two wins in a row against their best-of-five semifinals rivals Kepler and Rwanda Energy Group (REG) respectively on Sunday at Petit Stade Indoor facility. Unlike in Game 1, Patriots eased past Kepler with a dominant 107-68 victory over Kepler to claim Game 2 and put themselves in pole position of qualifying for the finals. A ticket to the final will be up for grabs on Wednesday, September 4, should they complete a 3-0 sweep against Mandy Juruni’s side which is playing the playoffs on its debut season in topflight basketball. Will Perry, a household name in the Rwandan basketball, scored a game high 22 points, putting Henry Mwinuka’s forces in control of the playoffs. Patriots are now on the brink of qualification to the final and just one win from the next three games will be enough to qualify. Miller puts APR on brink of finals APR now look destined to reach back-to-back finals as they overcame REG in 65-60 Game 2 win to extend their lead to 2-0. having won Game 92-91 on Friday, August 30. The game was shaped by unprecedented power cut inside Petit Stade. Power was going on and off on various occasions, leaving teams stranded every time they were made to wait for power to come back. Highflying point guard Isaiah Miller was again a nightmare for the electricians who struggled to defend him throughout the game. The American scored a team high 19 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists. REG had a bright start to the game, winning the first two quarter 11-10 and 20-17 to lead the game 31-27 at the break but APR showed some energy, pace and fighting spirit to take the third quarter 15-14 and the fourth 23-15 to make it two wins out of a possible two games. Although Antino Jackson Alvalezes leading the scores with 21 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals, REG still had a night to forget as they struggled to keep their lead in the first three quarters, letting APR come from 42-45 down at the end of the third quarter to claim the final quarter 23-15 and win the game. Power forward William Robeyns contributed 13 points while Jean Jacques Nshobozwabyosenumukiza added 9 points. The two local basketball heavyweights return to action for Game 3 which will take place at BK Arena on Wednesday, September 4. While APR are aiming for a clean sweep, REG will be looking for a crucial win that would bring them back in contention.
