REG Women BBC and APR Women BBC are one game away from the Rwanda Basketball League Playoffs Finals, each leading their best-of-five semi-finals series 2-0 against Kepler and GS Marie Reine, respectively.
On Sunday, September 29, at Petit Stade, Rwanda Energy Group (REG) and APR teams dominated Kepler and GS Marie Reine in Game 2 to pave their way into the Finals for the third consecutive time.
The defending champions, APR, secured a 61-37 victory over GS Marie Reine in Sunday’s first game, taking a 2-0 lead in the series. Captain Charlotte Umugwaneza shined with a double-double, contributing 16 points and 16 rebounds to the win.
GS Marie Reine is on the verge of elimination from the playoffs after suffering losses of 95-65 and 61-37 in Game 1 and 2.
However, led by Brigitte Nibishaka, last season’s Defensive Player of the Year and the league’s current leading scorer as well as rebounder, GS Marie Reine can take many positives from this season, having reached the playoffs for the first time.
Meanwhile, Kepler, in their first season in the Rwanda Basketball League, is just one game away from being swept.
Under the guidance of coach Rene Sahabu, they suffered a 107-45 defeat in Game 1 against REG, followed by a 78-51 loss in Game 2. The Kinyinya-based team will need a strong performance in Game 3 on Wednesday to avoid a sweep.
Top-seeded REG Women BBC, now under Spanish coach Julian Martinez, have bolstered their roster with the addition of Kenyan small forward Victoria Reynolds. With recent changes in administration, coaching, and key trades, the team appears more cohesive and determined to dethrone APR.
Under coach Martinez, REG has improved ball movement and is providing opportunities for all players. Odile Tetero, Ange Nelly Irakoze, and Ramla Umunezero have regained confidence and are among the team’s top scorers and rebounders.
The teams will meet again on Wednesday, September 2, for Game 3. If APR and REG win, they will advance to the playoffs finals.
APR and REG faced off in finals for the past two seasons.
