Tivoli, JDF launch semi-final challenge

Robert Bailey, Gleaner Writer

The battle for the Flow/National Basketball League Southern Conference title will intensify today when defending champions Tivoli Gardens oppose the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), in game one of their best-of-three semi-finals at the National Stadium Courts, starting at 6 p.m.

In the evening's other encounter, former champions Urban Knights will battle last year's beaten finalists, Majesty Legends, at 8.

Tivoli will start favourites over the army men in today's game, this as the Edward 'Ted' Marshall-coached team defeated the soldiers in the preliminary round.

The west Kingston-based team also ended the group stage atop the standings with 29 points, three ahead of the JDF, which finished fourth.

confident players

"The players are confident and they are looking to play this game because we want to ensure that we retain our title," said Marshall.

"Things are looking good because our preparations have been going great and everybody is in high spirits ahead of this game," he said.

Marshall added: "We are not going to take them lightly, but I believe that once my team goes out and play hard, follow instructions, then we should come out on top."

Tivoli will rest their hopes in the hands of Delano Mallett, Kirk Ferguson, Anthony Ferguson, Andrew Whilby and Troy Campbell, who have played an integral part in their success.

The JDF team has been in excellent form since the second round of the competition, winning all five of their matches.

corrective work

"Looking at their performance throughout the second round, I believe that we can give them a beating," said Percival Smart coach of the JDF.

"We have been doing corrective work because we realised after the first round that our game was a bit behind and so I know that we have the ammunition to beat them now," Smart added.

The soldiers will rest their hopes for victory in the hands of Kenroy Barnaby, Richard Bailey, Raymond Francis, Feurtado Clarke and Steven Spence.

The Knights and Legends game is expected to be a very intriguing and exciting encounter. The Kavin Martin-coached Knights finished second in the standings with 28 points, one ahead of the Legends.

The Knights will start favourites over their opponents, who they defeated twice this season - a 39-point victory and a one-point win in their second game.