REG BBC look to pull off the impossible as APR stand on brink of making a back-to-back Rwanda Basketball League Playoffs finals.
After falling 2-0 to APR, the Rwanda Energy Group-owned team looks to bounce back against the defending champions as the series continues at Petit Stade.
The electricians lost Game 1 in heartbreaking fashion and fell short in the final moments of Game 2. They must respond in Game 3 to avoid a sweep by APR, echoing last season’s outcome.
REG’s Struggles against APR
REG and APR face off for the fifth time in the 2024 RBL season tonight, with APR having won all the previous encounters and poised to secure a spot in the playoff finals for a second consecutive time.
The army team has bested REG in 10 consecutive league matchups. REG’s last victory over APR was on September 2, 2022, during Game 3 of the playoff semifinals, where REG clinched a 71-66 win, advancing to the finals.
Since then, APR has consistently outperformed REG, starting with victory in both home and away games during the 2023 regular season, followed by a devasting 4-0 sweep in playoff finals. This season APR seized the dominance, completing a double over REG in home and away encounters, and they are now leading the series with 2-0, making it 10-0 in league games and 12-0 in all competitions, including victories in the 2024 Rwanda Cup and GMT.
REG’s Uphill Battle
REG faces a tough challenge to win this game and stay alive in the series. Coach Ogoh Odaudu’s team must address their final quarter struggles from the first 2 games.
In Game 1, REG held a nine-point lead entering the final quarter, but APR cut the deficit and forced overtime. In Game 2, REG led for three quarters before APR surged in the final quarter to win the game.
To counter APR’s Aliou Diarra’s endurance in the final quarter, REG must rotate their big men more effectively and avoid foul trouble. Pitchou Manga has been hampered by fouls at critical moments, and REG needs Kendal Gray’s aggressive play to support him.
Key Matchups
While REG needs to strengthen their frontcourt in crucial moments, they hold an advantage in the backcourt, despite APR’s Jaleel Miller being a formidable opponent.
It’s unfair to assign only one player to Isaiah Jaleel Miller. It takes team effort to defend him.
Miller scored 43 points against this REG in the Rwanda Cup final, and his offense threat persisted as he put up again 32 points against REG last Friday in the playoff first game.
Even if he might not start this game, REG BBC’s veteran Herve Icyishatse, a terrific defender, is expected to guide Miller in this game.
Ntore Habimana vs. Antino Alvalezes Jackson: Habimana is one of the best offensive creators in the league, leading in assists during the regular season, while Antino is an athletic offensive player with long-range shooting ability. Defending Antino will be challenging, but Habimana has solid support for Nshobozwa, known for his man-to-man defense.
What REG BBC Needs to Do to Avoid a Sweep
REG needs a big game from Cleveland Thomas. The American shooting guard, who dropped 27 points in Game 1, was held to 8 points in Game 2, and consequently the team failed to perform offensively.
REG needs to build on their positives from Game 1 and move past their earlier mistakes. REG had 15 turnovers in 45 minutes of game 1 and forced APR into 25 turnovers but failed to capitalize on them.
Improving shooting efficiency is crucial for REG, as they shot 37.8% in Game 1 and just 30% in Game 2, along with poor free-throw percentages of 60% in Game 1 and 44.4% in Game 2. These areas need improvement if they hope to avoid being swept.
But first and foremost, they have to slow down Jaleel Miller
Tonight’s game, scheduled for 8 p.m. at Petit Stade, is a must-win for REG.
Meanwhile, the Patriots are expected to complete a 3-0 sweep over Kepler and advance to the finals. If both APR and the Patriots make it to the finals, it will be their first-ever playoff finals showdown.
The best-of-seven finals will determine the 2024 Rwanda Basketball League Champions.
