APR Basketball Club survived a big scare in Game 1 of their Rwanda Basketball League playoffs semifinal series, winning 92-91 in a narrow overtime thriller against the Rwanda Energy Group Basketball Club.
In Friday night basketball game at Petit Stade, under the betPawa playoffs, as the league’s naming rights holder, the last season’s finalists faced off in a closely contested game, with the defending champions APR securing a dramatic victory to take the opening win in the best-of-five series.
A dramatic finish, the Army team narrowly edged out the electricians 92-91, with Isaiah Jaleel Miller delivering an outstanding performance in his postseason debut in Rwanda.
Both APR and REG entered the playoffs with new head coaches. APR had earlier announced the addition of James Jr. Maye as an assistant to head coach Mazen Trakh, though coach Maz was notably not seen from the sidelines in game 1 against REG BBC.
On the other hand, REG added Ogoh Odaudu to their coaching staff. Odaudu, a Nigerian who was named the 2024 BAL coach of the year, was on duty for the first game, while Charles Mushumba was not seen in the assistant coaches.
On the court, Odaudu’s team started the game with great intensity, moving the ball effectively and making key shots, largely thanks to their dynamic backcourt duo, Antino Alvalezes and Cleveland Thomas. They took a 24-20 lead in the first quarter, but APR managed to slow them down in the second quarter, heading to the break with REG leading by two points. 42-40
The electricians come back in the third quarter determined, and the same duo that had been effective throughout continued to hurt APR, taking a seven-point lead in the third quarter, 25-18, with a nine-point lead prior to the last period.
APR surged a comeback in last quarter and gained a 7-point lead with less than a minute remaining. Prince Muhizi drove aggressively into the paint and dropped a powerful dunk over Diarra. Shortly after, Antino Alvalezes set up Justin Uwitonze for a crucial three-pointer, leaving REG BBC trailing by just two points.
With just 9 seconds left on the clock, Mukama fouled Miller, the standout offensive player of the day, a former jazz guard, missed one of the free throws, giving REG a chance to hit a three-pointer and force overtime.
Antino Alvalezes Jackson, who had 6-14 from three-point range, stepped up and made a three-pointer to tie the game to 83, improving his three-point shooting to 7-for-15, the best in the game.
APR capitalized on the heights and dynamicity of Diarra in the paint to dominate Pitchou Manga, who was in foul trouble, and clinch a narrow victory in the first overtime. APR secured a narrow 92-91 victory and took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five series.
Isaiah Jaleel Miller scored 32 points game-high, and Aliou Diarra contributed 22 points in the win. Diarra was good both offensively and defensively, as he also grabbed 12 rebounds, including 5 offensive rebounds.
Ntore Habimana and Captain William Robeyns chipped in 10 points apiece.
On the other side of the floor, REG star duo Antino Alvalezes (27 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists) and Cleveland Thomas (27 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists) combined 54 points, while Kambuyi Manga Pitchou recorded a double-double of 13 points and 13 rebounds.
The Rwanda Energy Group team will need to put Friday night’s result behind and regroup ahead of Game 2 on Friday.
In the early game, the league-top-seed Patriots secured a first win over Kepler with an 83-71 game. The Keplerians dominated the first three quarters, but the Henry Mwinuka team showed maturity in the last quarter and secured a 1-0 lead series.
Sunday, September 1st, Petit Stade will once again welcome these city powerhouses for the betPawa playoffs game 2. The Instant Replay System will be in use to resolve any replay issues and enhance the accuracy of officiating.
