Basketball is set to take centre stage in Linden over the weekend when the Linden Amateur Basketball Association (LABA) recommences its Pioneer Construction-sponsored First Division League at the Mackenzie Sports Club hard court.

Kevin Joseph – Amelia’s Ward Jets

The tournament which is in the second round started since last year September but some in-house problems with the LABA, use of the venue, the LABA general election and the weather delayed completion of the event. According to the LABA organizing secretary Ashton Angel Jr., only four games have been completed so far in the second round and 11 matches are carded before the completion of the tournament.

He said that after this weekend, games would be played every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday and predicted that once the weather continues to be in their favour, the league should be wrapped up by June 20.

Tonight, Alleyene’s Retrieve Raiders will face the Patriots in game one from 18 hrs while Glands Trucking Service Bulls will meet the National Club Champions, Wismar Pistons.

When competition resumes tomorrow, the Amelia’s Ward New Ballers will meet the Bulls and Raiders will face the Victory Valley Royals.

Sunday evening’s double header will cap the weekend’s activity with Pistons and Patriots squaring off in the opening game and Amelia’s Ward Jets playing  Ballers.

This would be the first outing for the newly-formed LABA executive bunch which is being led by former national basketball player and national female coach, Abdullah ‘Zico’ Hamid.

The table below shows the team standings after the conclusion of round one and four games in the second round.
Teams        Wins        Loses     Points

1. Jets        6        2        14
2. Royals    6        2        14
3. Pistons    5        1        11
4. Patriots    3        4        10
5. Ballers    2        5        9
6. Raiders    1        7        9
7. Bulls        2        7        8