History has been written as REG BBC swept the Patriots to clinch the 2020/2021 Bank of Kigali Basketball National League trophy while Joyeuse Ineza Sifa hit a buzzer-beater against REG Women BBC to force game 3 in the women’s category.
REG BBC who last won the Rwanda Basketball League title in 2016 under the guidance of John Bahufite, put down yet another stellar performance last night to claim their second league title and an automatic ticket to the 2022 Basketball Africa League
Following their 66-63 win in game one, REG BBC beat Patriots 64-49 in the second game of the best of 3 series to end the Patriots’ reign in Rwandan Basketball domination.
Shyaka followed up his sublime Game one 30 points with 22 points and 8 rebounds in Game 2 despite the full attention of the Patriots’ immense defence of Bush Wamukota and Bienvenu Niyonsaba.
REG BBC will be the Rwanda flag bearer in the BAL second edition and they won’t go through the qualifiers since Rwanda will host the semi-finals and finals.
Following the men’s final game, the Rwanda Basketball Federation together with its Partner, Bank of Kigali announced that the recipients of the league’s end-of-season awards, the winners will be the BK’s brand ambassadors next year.
REG BBC’s Olivier Shyaka was named 2020/2021 BKBNL Most Valuable Player while Romain Murenzi Kizito received the most improved player award. the latter plays for UGB.
Other Individual awards given:
League Top Scorer: Brian Mbanze (RP-IPRC Huye)
Best Defender: Kamndoh Betoudje Frank ( Shoot for the stars)
Best 3 Point Shooter : Dieudonne Ndizeye Ndayisaba
The Team of the Year:
Best Point Guard: Adonis Filer ( REG)
Best Shooting Guard: Belleck Bell (REG)
Best Forward: Dieudonne Ndizeye Ndayisaba (Patriots)
Best Power Forward: Olivier Shyaka (REG)
Best Center: Bush Wamukota (Patriots)
Coach of the year: Henry Mwinuka (REG)
Referee of the year: Jean Sauveur Ruhumuriza
In the women’s category, Joyeuse Sifa Ineza knocked down a bucket with defenders all over her to tie the series at 1-1 and force a game 3 for The Hoops-REG.
The game was tight 44-44 in the last 10 seconds of the game when Hoops’ head coach Patrick Habiyambere requested his last time out. His tactics worked out and young Sifa Ineza hit a buzzer-beater to end the game 46-44 and guarantee the fans a deciding game this Sunday.
In this game, Sifa and Ebengo helped close out the win with a combined 29 points.
The BKBNL Women’s final game is scheduled today, October 31 at 6 pm in Kigali Arena.
