BKBNL Pre-season defending champions, REG BBC is unstoppable in a tournament that Patriots did not participate in due to the NBA’s rules regarding the BAL tournament they have ahead.
The mini-tournament sponsored by Bank of Kigali which is a partner of basketball in Rwanda marks the TipOff of the basketball season. This edition will not have teams like Espoir BBC, Rusizi BBC, and Patriots BBC.
The defending champions, started high with 2 wins against UR-CMHS and RP-IPRC Huye. They thrashed the UR-CMHS student 98-34 with new team captain, Shyaka Olivier putting 19 in the basket.
April 23, 2021, REG BBC played its second match against RP-IPRC Huye. The game was played with so much passion from both sides that it would be hard to imagine that it was a friendly match. The first quarter ended with 6 points led by defending champions, 20-26
The guys from the south led by coach Charles Mushumba came back to dominated their opponent in the second quarter. REG trailed the southerners 41-36 at the break.
RP-IPRC Huye gave this game away in the 3rd quarter when REG recovered stronger, maintained a solid defensive unit, using their physicality as a strength, and the trio Kami, Shyaka, and Belleck dominated. Belleck Bell made 8 points in 3rd. 24-11 in general.
In the last quarter, both teams scored 21 points which was to enough for the Southern Province based club to grab yesterday’s victory. The final result was 81-73 in the favor of REG BBC.
In the next assignment, the REG will lock horns with Shoot for the stars.
REG has 2 new recruits in Prince Muhizi from UGB and Pascal Niyonkuru from APR BBC however, they will not have the services of Jean Jacques Nshobozwabyosenumukiza and Elie Kaje. Both joined Patriots temporally to boost their squad in the upcoming BAL games.
As a reminder, this pre-season is an open tournament. A player can play for a team without a contract and for each game, the team provides a list of 12 players, regardless of the number of foreigners and nationals contrary to the rules of the league.
In the last edition, REG overcame the Patriots to clinch the trophy. This year, the Patriots have not participated in these games because according to rules stated by the NBA and BAL, it’s part of the precautionary measures against Covid-19. It’s already less than two weeks to the expected arrival date for all teams. So, they need all players and staff to stay healthy and fit.
For more details about BKBNL Pre-season Tournament, Click here
Today, Saturday 24/04/2021
FIXTURES
- 10h00 RP IPRC Huye vs UR Huye/W (Outdoor Amahoro)
- 10h00 THE HOOPS vs APR/W (Kigali Arena)
- 12h00 UR Huye BBC vs Tigers BBC (Kigali Arena)
- 14h00 ½ FINALS APR BBC vs RP IPRC Kigali BBC (Kigali Arena)
- 16h00 UR Huye vs THE HOOPS/W (Outdoor Amahoro)
- 16h00 RP IPRC Huye vs UBUMWE BBC/W (Kigali Arena)
- 18h00 ½ FINALS SHOOT FOR THE STARS vs REG BBC (Kigali Arena)
