Rwanda Energy Group Basketball Club, REG BBC is through to the 2023 BetPawa Playoffs finals after defeating Espoir 96-60 in game three of the semifinals on Sunday at BK Arena. REG BBC will compete in their seventh straight finals against APR.
The BetPawa Playoffs semifinals were decisive on Sunday afternoon, with both REG BBC and APR BBC on the verge of clinching their berths in the finals.
The Patriots were expected to react just to avoid an early elimination. However, the determined APR side showed no mercy and ousted them in an unexpected sweep. APR prevailed 62-52
Before this game, REG BBC had easily trounced Espoir BBC 96-60, as expected. The victory ensures REG won the best-of-five series 3-0, completing a sweep of the 2015 Rwanda Basketball League (RBL) champions Espoir BBC.
The win denotes that since their league debut in 2016, REG BBC has qualified for a seventh straight Rwanda Basketball League playoff final and has never missed one. They were also crowned champions in 2021 and 2022. They claimed the league title in 2017, Although the Patriots went on to win the same season’s playoffs.
The Electricians and APR Lions will battle it out in the finals. and the Lions are the most admired side by local fans who believe that they can end REG-Patriot’s reign.
The regular season top seed and defending champions, REG who swept the 4th seed Espoir handily, will now face this year’s favourite APR BBC in the best-of-seven series final, which tips off on Friday.
REG will have an uphill battle against 2009 RBL Champions APR. Following the army team’s outstanding trades, APR has promised to give their all against the reigning champs.
The first game of the finals is scheduled for Friday, 1st September at BK Arena
The Last Ten Finals Matchups
2022: REG-Patriots (3-2), best-of-five series
2021: REG-Patriots (2-0), best-of-three series
2020: REG-Patriots (61-76), One Game
2019: REG-Patriots (3-4), best-of-seven series
2018: REG-Patriots (2-3), best-of-five series
2017: REG-Patriots (1-3), best-of-five series
2016: RP-IPRC Huye-Patriots (3-1), best-of-five series
2015: Espoir BBC-Patriots (3-1), best-of-five series
2014: Espoir BBC-CSK (3-1), best-of-five series
2013: Espoir BBC-KBC (3-1), best-of-five series
