Espoir lift Playoffs title

Game Three Espoir 78-68 APR Women Game OneAPR 54-41 UbumweUnbeaten Espoir celebrated adding the basketball league Playoffs final trophy to the regular season title after beating APR 78-68 in Game Three on Sunday at the Amahoro Indoor Stadium court.Espoir started well, winning the first quarter 19-12 but former champions APR came back strong and dominated the second quarter 23-15.However, Cliff Owour’s team ran out of steam in the third and fourth quarters as Espoir, who have been so dominant throughout the season, ran 25-13 and 20-9 winners respectively in the second half.Forward Olivier Muhizi and Kami Kabange scored 23 and 14 respectively, while the Playoffs final Most Valuable Player, point guard Aristide Mugabe added 11 points for Jean Bahufite’s side.Lionel Hakizimana scored 11 points for APR, while his skipper Theotime Murimira, who was ejected after accumulating five fouls, scored 8 points.Espoir won the best of five series playoff final 3-0 to which helped them to add it to the regular season title. The Nyamirambo-based outfit, who last won the league title back in 2004, won Game One 89-63 and Game Two 106-54 respectively last weekend.Meanwhile, APR women’s team beat Ubumwe 54-41 in Game One of their best of three Playoffs final played on Saturday. Games Two is today at Amahoro Indoor Stadium court.