{"id":26090,"date":"2022-09-19T16:11:51","date_gmt":"2022-09-19T16:11:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/all-news\/reg-retain-championship-after-patriots-win"},"modified":"2022-09-19T16:38:05","modified_gmt":"2022-09-19T16:38:05","slug":"reg-retain-championship-after-patriots-win","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/sport\/reg-retain-championship-after-patriots-win","title":{"rendered":"REG retain championship after Patriots win"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Rwanda. <\/strong><\/span>Final<\/p>\n

Sunday<\/p>\n

Game 5<\/p>\n

REG 84-74 Patriots<\/p>\n

Rwanda Energy Group (REG) Basketball on Sunday retained the Rwanda Basketball League title after a thrilling 84-74 win against Patriots to take the series 3-2.<\/p>\n

REG went into a fully packed BK Arena on Sunday, September 18 to command an early first quarter lead 24-13, thanks in part to point guard Cleveland Thomas Jr.<\/p>\n

It was the first time REG defended its trophy (2021) in what has now become the local league\u2019s fiercest rivalry.<\/p>\n

REG\u2019s barrage was further emphasized by star-shooting guard Filer Jovon Adonis who led the team with 23 points, 11rebounds and 6 assists in 38 games of play.<\/p>\n

By half time, REG extended the lead to 42-31, in what the majority perceived as a \u2018disappointing\u2019 response from the Patriots.<\/p>\n

Despite a quick response in the third quarter, Patriots trailed the whole game with Gray Kendall and Ntore Habimana leading in points 18, 13 respectively.<\/p>\n

With the loss, Patriots\u2019 legacy of closing out games is at stake, while their rival, highly boosted by team\u2019s tactician Henry Mwinuka seeks to stem the tide.<\/p>\n

And with the win, REG is crowned champions and also bags home a cash prize of Rwf15 million, double of their finals contestants.<\/p>\n

Here are the key takeaways from the game<\/p>\n

Adonis, Cleveland are just \u2018too strong\u2019<\/p>\n

The offensive power of REG\u2019s guard combo has recently proven to be too strong for this seaso.<\/p>\n

Adonis and Cleveland have consistently led the energy side in their previous games, and Patriots has not been an exception.<\/p>\n

For the final game five, there was no lack of the trend. Cleveland clinched 15 points while his co-guard Adonis clinched a game high 23 points.<\/p>\n

Olivier Shyaka finally had his game<\/p>\n

Little did fans expect Olivier Shyaka to show up in such a big game of the season, but the former national team captain proved that he had not slipped far from the skill.<\/p>\n

Shyaka scored 4 of his 6 three points in a total of 14 points. It has been a while since the power forward fueled a wild crowd, but his ability to shoot the three point was witnessed once more.<\/p>\n

Should he maintain the form, REG can confidently set the bar high in the upcoming Basketball Africa League.<\/p>\n

Kenny Gasana looked lost<\/p>\n

It is rare that Kenny Gasana will score 11 points in a deciding game. The point guard who has been framed as the face of the local league clearly didn\u2019t have it.<\/p>\n

Gasana\u2019s offensive tactics and playmaking ability didn\u2019t live up to his standards in a single quarter.<\/p>\n

It has also been visibly clear that chemistry-wise, Gasana faced difficulties to match with American guard Crawford Christopher.<\/p>\n

Past champions since 2010<\/p>\n

2022: REG<\/p>\n

2021: REG<\/p>\n

2020: Patriots<\/p>\n

2019: Patriots<\/p>\n

2018: Patriots<\/p>\n

2017: REG<\/p>\n

2016: Patriots<\/p>\n

2015: Espoir<\/p>\n

2014: Espoir<\/p>\n

2013: Espoir<\/p>\n

2012: Espoir<\/p>\n

2011: Kigali Basketball Club<\/p>\n

2010: APR<\/p>\n\r\n