RSSB Tigers BBC produced a major upset while Patriots BBC secured a hard-fought victory as the Cheetah Energy RBL Playoffs 2026 semifinals tipped off at BK Arena.
RSSB Tigers defeated regular-season champions APR BBC 97-82, while Patriots BBC overcame REG BBC 84-75 in the opening games of the best-of-five semifinal series.
RSSB Tigers shock league leaders APR
RSSB Tigers delivered a statement performance against APR BBC, who finished top of the regular-season standings, dominating the defending champions throughout the contest.
American forward Tyler Tarik Bey, who recently joined RSSB Tigers, was the difference-maker, leading the scoring with 39 points while adding 11 rebounds and three assists.
He was supported by Zouzoua Nisre Mimi, who contributed 21 points, and Antino Alvalezes Jackson, who scored 12 points to help RSSB Tigers take a 1-0 lead in the series.
APR BBC struggled to find enough scoring options despite Leonard Craig Randall II producing 25 points and Adonis Jovon Filer adding 14 points. No other APR player managed to score in double figures.
RSSB Tigers maintained their composure from the start and created the decisive gap in the final two quarters to secure the impressive win.
Patriots overcome REG in opening game
Earlier in the night, Patriots BBC defeated REG BBC 84-75 in a competitive encounter between the second and third-placed teams from the regular season.
Damaria Franklin powered Patriots to victory with a team-high 26 points, four rebounds and one assist. Jeffery Tyrone Stubbs added 17 points, while Irakoze Herve Hodal scored 11 points.
For REG BBC, Sangwa Armel led the scoring with 14 points, followed by Garmine Kande Kieli with 11 points and Kamdoh Betoudji Frank with 10 points.
Patriots’ fast start proved crucial, as they built a 16-point lead in the opening quarter and managed to withstand REG’s attempts to fight back.
REG played without two newly signed players, William Kiah Perry and Abdoulaye Harouna Amadou, who missed the game after arriving late in Rwanda. Coach Odaudu Ogoh said they are expected to feature in the second match.
The second games of the semifinals will be played on Friday, August 7, at BK Arena, with REG facing Patriots at 6:30 pm before RSSB Tigers take on APR at 7:30 pm.
The semifinal winners will be determined through a best-of-five series, with teams needing three victories to reach the final.
