THE Suva-Laucala Bas-ketball Association is expecting good competition as they prepare for the open trials later this month. Two teams will be put together from the best of the best within the Suva-Laucala Association for next month's Fiji Games. Association president Leonard Whippy said skill level and competition had increased significantly after the Easter Games. Their second leg of league was played at the Vodafone Arena on Tuesday where Easter Champion, Saints stood out as they battered Pitbulls 101-33. Idaman captain and association vice-president Semesa Seruvatu's Namadi boys were in top form yesterday as they beat Shaq Attaq 35-49 and won by default over Air Iguanas. With five men's teams and three women's teams, Seruvatu has his sights on the Raiwaqa B/Ball teams to increase the number of teams in the league. "It would be great to have some of the Raiwaqa teams in our association's league games because playing against the Raiwaqa teams is different and challenging. They are more aggressive and tough to play with and they provide stiff competition," Seruvatu said. With the association already in their second leg of league games, players in the Raiwaqa Basketball Players Association just might make a break for the Suva-Laucala Association. "This is just the build-up for the Fiji Games and we want to win it this year. We are training and playing hard to keep our skill level high because we want to be ready for anything," Seruvatu said. Seruvatu is getting his team, Idaman, ready especially against the onslaught that they are expecting from the Saints side. "I try to get the boys to train every day at the USP gym and although we don't have any coach we have a very close bond and an understanding in the team." Open trials will be at the end of this month. "I am looking forward to the trials," Whippy said.

The Fiji Times Newspaper

Friday 14th May, 2010