APR Basketball Club took a 1-0 lead against the Patriots with a 69-59 win in the first round of playoffs (semi-finals).
KIGALI, August 23, Jean Jacques Wilson Nshobozwabyosenumukiza dropped 20 points, Ntore Habimana posted a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds to lead the APR Lions seal their first victory in 2023 Rwanda Basketball League Postseason rebranded as BetPawa Playoffs.
Prior to the game, APR head coach Maz Trakh had to make an essential call in selecting two foreigners that would appear on the game roster. He chose De Marcus Holland and Bush Wamukota over Congolese international Rolly Fula.
On the Patriots’ side, as predicted, Michael Andre Dixon was sidelined due to injury, and Roebuck Jr G Vashon took over in his place, however Mike’s absence was felt.
Heny Mwinuka’s Patriots lacked a leader who could distribute the ball, link the other players, and engage the entire team in the offensive. Thus, they lost the game 69-59 (22-19, 7-19, 14-18, and 16-13)
As a team, the Patriots shot 33 percent from the field and 25 percent from behind the three-point line. Roebuck Jr scored a team-high 13 points while Kenneth Gasana and Ater Majok contributed 12 points apiece.
The two teams meet again at BK Arena for Game 2 on Friday.
REG BBC beat Espoir BBC 85-79 in 1st game of series
In the second semifinal, the reigning champions got off to a brilliant start, taking a 1-0 lead against the Nyamirambo-based team.
Adonis Filer led the electricians with 31 points while Pascal Niyonkuru scored 24 points. For the losing side, Olivier Turatsinze scored 27 points, Heritier Irumva had 16 points.
