APR BBC made a strong start to the 2025-26 Rwanda Basketball League playoffs final, beating Patriots BBC 117-91 on Tuesday night at BK Arena.
APR took control early, building a 35-22 lead by the end of the first quarter as Axel Mpoyo and Craig Randall II provided much of the scoring, including several 3-pointers.
The military side extended its advantage in the second quarter, with Randall, Ndayisaba Ndizeye Dieudonné and Adonis Filer helping APR open a 29-point lead at 56-27.
Patriots struggled to contain APR and repeatedly lost possession as the gap continued to grow. APR led 64-38 at halftime.
The third quarter followed a similar pattern, with Mamadou Diagne and Randall continuing to find the basket. Randall was particularly effective from 3-point range as APR stretched its lead to 97-61 heading into the final quarter.
Patriots attempted to reduce the deficit in the fourth quarter, with Hubert Sage Kwizera among its leading scorers, but APR maintained control until the final buzzer.
Teafale Leonard, Ndayisaba and Filer also contributed as APR secured its first win of the best-of-three final series.
Randall led all scorers with 40 points for APR, while Garba Kennedy and Kwizera Sage each scored 17 for Patriots.
The teams will meet again Thursday at BK Arena for Game 2, with APR needing another victory to strengthen its position in the series.
The women’s playoff final also begins Thursday at the same venue, with REG WBBC facing The Hoops.
