Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter
Portmore Flames Kenardo Smith (right) blocks Tivoli All Stars Omar Barnes' shot during the KFC/bmobile-sponsored National Basketball League (NBL) match at the stadium courts on Tuesday night. Looking on is Flames' Mathhew McKellop (number 30). Tivoli registered a 75-55 blow-out of the Flames 75-55. - PHOTO BY ANTHONY MINOTT
TIVOLI ALL-STARS are a perfect 2-0 to start this season's bmobile and KFC-sponsored National Basketball League (NBL) after a 75-55 pounding of the Portmore Flames at the National Stadium courts on Tuesday night.
Following up on a 71-60 victory over the defending champions St. George's Slayers to lift the RJR Trophy on Saturday, last year's beaten finalists Tivoli, led by big man Duken Brown's 18 points and 12 rebounds, shot out in front and led wire to wire.
The Flames were knocked on their heels by three straight Tivoli baskets and found themselves trailing 16-7 by the end of the first quarter. Despite their best efforts the Flames were unable to do much to cut into the lead and by half-time, they trailed 45-26.
VALIANT ATTEMPT
A spirited rally by Portmore in the third quarter, led by guard Dave McGowan who had 16 points overall, saw Portmore make a valiant attempt to get back into the game, but they failed to find the crucial stops and as a result could only trade baskets with the All-Stars, which did little to help their situation.
Though early in the season, Tivoli's coach Dennis Hutchinson is happy with the way that his team has come out of the gates.
"Considering that we almost have a total change in the backbone of the team, I am very pleased with what we've done so far. We have a few guys that were more low profile from last year and they have started off well so far," he said.
WARY OF COMPLACENCY
However, he will be wary of complacency.
"We are off to a good start, but it is important for us to maintain it. We have to go out there and play our physical game but we are up for the challenge," he added.
For Portmore coach Kevin Pinnock, the first loss of the season was a disappointing one.
"We weren't mentally prepared; we were late and that had a lot to do with it," he commented.
Nonetheless with the expected return of top guard Ryan Peddler at the end of this month, Pinnock is hopeful of bettering last year's second round exit.
"With our performance last year we can only better that this year by winning the competition and we have the ability to do so," he said.
In the day's other game Link-Up All-Stars, led by 27 points from Garfield Campbell, got the better of the Blazing Panthers in a 78-72 victory.
On Monday St. George's Slayers rebounded from their opening day loss when they defeated Harbour View Lakers 54-68, while Urban Knights made it two-in-a-row when they turned back Arnett Rockers 50-41.
