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Ogoh Odaudu's REG moves closer to Rwanda Basketball League final

By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye

...Records second win in semi-finals playoffs over United Generation
...We have to keep the fire burning, keep the spirit up, stay focused, ready - Ogoh Odaudu 
By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye with additional agency report 
 
  
  
Rwanda Energy Group Basketball Club admiringly called REG put one foot into the finals of the 2025 Rwanda Basketball League on Sunday with a 12 point margin win over United Generation Basketball Club.

REG managed by experienced Nigeria born coach, Ogoh Odaudu, took complete control of their destiny with a 15 points lead at halftime 55-40.

REG maintained the 15 points advantage into the final ten minutes of the game with United Generation Basketball winning the fourth quarter, but it was too little too late as ended 96-84 in favour of REG.

Full-time score 27-26, 28-14, 21-21, 20-23.

A very elated Coach Ogoh Odaudu told FIRST ZEALMEDIACAST BLOG , that the team translated out the game plan well but not to perfection.

"That's what we set out to do, to win, and we are happy that we did that. We didn't play as well as we played in game 1, but we are still happy with the win.”

The win gives Ogoh Odaudu who is spending his second year as part-time multi-tasking role as coach of REG a 2-0 lead in the Best of 5 semi-finals playoffs.

“We have to keep the fire burning, we have to keep the spirit up, hopefully we go out on Wednesday and finish it up, I advised them to stay focused, stay ready, stay hungry, it's not over yet, we still have a long way to go.”

WATCH WORDS FROM ODAUDU 

“From the first game of the season, we've been emphasizing on defense, we don't have a big problem on offense, it's only defense so we've been emphasizing on defense, so we stepped up big time on the defense so that was what made the difference in the second quarter.”

Despite winning the first two matches of semi-finals playoffs, the 2024 BAL best coach is not comfortable with the way the team struggles in the third and fourth quarters.

“It's something we have to go back and talk about, and actually work out something, and practice before the next game. It's a source of concern for us, in both games that we played, the third and fourth quarter have not been our best quarters so it's something we have to work on.”

He also had some nice words for Jean-Jacques Boissy who recorded 29 points, 2 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 steals and a block in game 2, stating that he played a vital part of the teams success.

Meanwhile, APR basketball club rekindled their hope of playing in the final by winning game 2 of the playoffs to tie the series 1-1.

The army side’s charges, led by point guard Antino Alvalezes Jackson and Jean Victor Mukama, looked ready for a counter-fight against Patriots as they looked to overcome the Basketball Africa League hangover which cost them Game 1.

Patriots won the first quarter 21-19 but lost the second one 20-27 to go into half-time trailing 41-46.

After the interval, APR showed more energy to take the third quarter 21-16. 

Sunny Niyomugabo’s Patriots bounced back and claimed the fourth 18-16 but it was not enough to salvage a win as James Maye Jr’s side brought the series level with three more games to play.

Antino Jackson starred with 21 points, while Mukama added 10 points for APR. 

Raphiael Putney topped the scoring with 23 points on the Patriots side while Bruno Nyamwasa and Frank Kamndoh contributed 13 points each. 

Now the semi-final series are locked at 1-1 with the pair set to return to action at BK Arena for Game 3 on Wednesday, June 25. 

SEMI-FINALS-GAME 2:
REG 96-84 UGB - REG lead series 2-0 APR 83-75 Patriots - Series tied 1-1

SEMI-FINALS-GAME 1:
REG 82-74 UGB
APR 61-78 Patriots

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