LeVaughn Flynn, Staff Reporter

NEWCOMERS PORT Royal Bulls will go charging for win number two this afternoon in the KFC National Basketball League (NBL) when they face Arnett Gardens Rockers at the National Stadium courts starting at 5:00.

The Bulls defeated fellow debutants, Catherine Hall All-Stars, 66-50 in the league's opening game last Sunday, but the team has some refining to do before its true talent shines through.

With several experienced players in their line-up who transferred from Tivoli All-Stars, the first-year team is capable of finishing in the top four, similar to last season's debutants Majesty Gardens.

Coach Oneil Williams expressed dissatisfaction with his team's performance last week and said he would be expecting more defensive intensity and better execution of set plays in their next game.

Crucial edge

Last season's leading shot blocker, Damion Young, had a solid game for Port Royal with 15 points and 15 rebounds. His experience and leadership will be crucial against an Arnett Gardens team led by the same core of players which won promotion from the Division One League to the NBL three seasons ago.

Port Royal will be tested by the combination of Delano Mallett's incredible court vision, Vivian Spence's three-point threat and the inside presence of Marvin Campbell and Ian Gooden.

Arnett Gardens coach Everald Hermit said the team would be coming out with a defensive mindset for today's game and it could tell whether the players have dropped their bad habits from last season.

"We have a new outlook this year," said Hermit. "We have new focus this year and a higher level of discipline."

Arnett Gardens lost forward Christoph Brown to Urban Knights, while gaining King Thompson from Majesty Gardens and Oneil Brown and Corrado Brown have returned.

Following the Port Royal/Arnett Gardens match, Link Up All-Stars will look to rebound from their midweek thrashing by Tivoli Wizards when they go up against Portmore Flames. The game scheduled for the Montego Bay Cricket Club between host Catherine Hall All-Stars and Runnin' Rebels has been postponed.