Patriots defeated APR 65-59 in a thrilling Game 3 of the Rwanda Basketball League Playoffs semifinals, moving just one win away from the finals. Meanwhile, REG BBC swept UGB 3-0 after an 89-81 victory to book their spot in the championship series.
On June 25 at BK Arena, the Patriots bounced back from Sunday’s loss to regain a 2-1 series lead. REG, on the other hand, advanced to the finals for the eighth time in the last ten years.
Despite missing key players Steven Hagumintwari and Elliott Cole Lamar, the short-handed Patriots put on a gritty performance against an APR side that welcomed back star center Aliou Diarra.
With a clear size disadvantage against Diarra and Youssoupha Ndoye, Patriots relied on perimeter shooting to counter APR’s paint dominance.
The defending champions came out strong, jumping to an 11-point lead in the opening minutes. Patriots closed the gap and trailed just 22-18 by the end of the first quarter. The second quarter saw both teams lock in defensively, with APR leading 37-33 at halftime.
However, the game turned in the third quarter. Sunny Munyandamutsa’s squad came out with renewed energy and stifling defense, holding APR to just 5 points while scoring 17 to take a 10-point lead heading into the final frame.
In the fourth quarter, APR took advantage of Putney’s foul trouble by relentlessly attacking the rim. Ndoye scored three consecutive baskets, cutting the deficit to four and forcing a Patriots timeout.
APR kept up the pressure until Cadeau de Dieu Furaha fouled out after receiving a technical foul. However, captain Olivier Kamilindi stepped in and hit a crucial three-pointer in the final minute to seal the victory.
Five Patriots players logged over 34 minutes, with the bench contributing just 9 points compared to APR’s 15.
Despite being outscored 36-24 in the paint, the Patriots were deadly from deep, hitting 9-27 three-pointers while APR struggled with just 3-26.
American guard Williams Isiah Rasheed led all scorers with 22 points (7-14 FG, 4-7 3PT) and dished out 7 assists. Raphael Putney added 17 points, while Furaha tallied 9 points and 10 rebounds.
Frank Kamndoh contributed 8 points and 11 boards.
For APR, big men Aliou Diarra and Youssoupha Ndoye both recorded double-doubles with 15 points each, collecting 11 and 10 rebounds respectively.
Earlier at the same venue, REG completed a 3-0 sweep of UGB to reach the RBL finals they last played in 2023. MVP candidate Jean Jacques Boissy starred with 27 points, 7 rebounds, and 8 assists—making all 8 of his free-throw attempts.
If Patriots eliminate APR in this best-of-five series, they will face REG in a best-of-seven finals—a rivalry that previously defined six consecutive championship battles between 2016 and 2022.
Game 4 between APR and Patriots is scheduled for Friday, June 27, at 7 PM at BK Arena.
