REG W BBC and The Hoops Rwanda have booked their places in the Cheetah Energy Rwanda Basketball League (RBL) final after eliminating APR W BBC and Kepler W BBC respectively in decisive Game 5 semi-finals.
The two teams secured their final berths on Sunday, August 16, 2026, at Petit Stade, where both semi-final series went down to the final game after the teams had split the opening four encounters.
REG W BBC, coached by Mukaneza Esperance, edged APR W BBC 83-78 to win the series 3-2.
Delicia Washington led REG with an outstanding performance, finishing with 26 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and two steals. Maiga Kadidia added 16 points, while Hosendove Taylor Lynn contributed 14.
APR’s Lucas Italee Malina led her team with 21 points, but her effort was not enough to keep APR in contention for the title.
REG’s ability to punish APR’s turnovers proved decisive. The team repeatedly turned defensive pressure into fast-break opportunities, scoring 30 points from fast breaks compared with APR’s nine.
The second semi-final was equally dramatic as The Hoops Rwanda defeated Kepler W BBC 62-60 to secure its place in the final.
The two teams entered Game 5 level at 2-2, setting up a decisive contest that was ultimately settled in the final seconds.
With 11 seconds remaining and the scores tied at 60-60, Gasherebuka Victoire fouled The Hoops’ Ndaruhutse Atete Raissa, who was awarded two free throws.
Ndaruhutse converted both attempts to put The Hoops ahead 62-60.
Kepler then had a chance to level the game after Coulibaly Kadiatou was awarded two free throws with one second left, but she missed both attempts as The Hoops held on for the victory.
Ndaruhutse was the standout performer for The Hoops, recording 21 points, five rebounds, one steal and one block.
The Hoops also held an advantage from the free-throw line, scoring 14 points from free throws compared with Kepler’s seven. They also made 10 three-pointers, compared with Kepler’s five.
The victory sets up a championship showdown between REG and The Hoops, with the final to be played as a best-of-seven series. The first team to win four games will be crowned champions.
The opening final game is scheduled for August 20 at BK Arena, with The Hoops Rwanda facing REG W BBC at 7 p.m.
APR W BBC and Kepler W BBC will meanwhile meet in the third-place playoff, which will be played as a best-of-five series, with the first team to win three games securing third place.
The final will be a major test between two teams with recent championship pedigree. REG are the defending champions, while The Hoops last won the women’s national league title in 2020.
