Tavon J. Phillip of Bayside Blazers, left, and Bjorn Caleb of Pure Playaz, right, take the tip off stance as referee Norville A. Young prepares to toss the ball up on the opening night of the Hon Julian Fraser Save the Seed League at the Save the Seed Energy Centre in Duff's Bottom, Tortola, on August 24, 2019. Photo: VINO

The final scorecard in the game between Bayside Blazers and Pure Playaz on August 24, 2019. Photo: VINO

The ever focused Anthony J. Keane of Bayside Blazers swings the ball to the left side of the court in the encounter against Pure Playaz on the opening night of the Hon Julian Fraser Save the Seed League at the Save the Seed Energy Centre in Duff's Bottom, Tortola, on August 24, 2019. Photo: VINO

Ray D. Victor of Pure Playaz bring the ball up court against Bayside Blazers on the opening night of the Hon Julian Fraser Save the Seed League at the Save the Seed Energy Centre in Duff's Bottom, Tortola, on August 24, 2019. Photo: VINO

3 point specialist Nicols Charles, right, of Pure Playaz on the opening night of the Hon Julian Fraser Save the Seed League at the Save the Seed Energy Centre in Duff's Bottom, Tortola, on August 24, 2019. Photo: VINO

Pure Playaz talk strategy during half time on the opening night of the Hon Julian Fraser Save the Seed League at the Save the Seed Energy Centre in Duff's Bottom, Tortola, on August 24, 2019. Photo: VINO

Bayside Blazers' Kimani T. Stevens attempts a shot behind the 3 point arc. Photo: VINO

Pure Playaz pray before their clash with Bayside Blazers on the opening night of the Hon Julian Fraser Save the Seed League at the Save the Seed Energy Centre in Duff's Bottom, Tortola, on August 24, 2019. Photo: VINO

Bayside Blazers get a game talk in prior to their clash with Pure Playaz on the opening night of the Hon Julian Fraser Save the Seed League at the Save the Seed Energy Centre in Duff's Bottom, Tortola, on August 24, 2019. Photo: VINO

A section of the crowd during the game between Bayside Blazers and Pure Playaz on the opening night of the Hon Julian Fraser Save the Seed League at the Save the Seed Energy Centre in Duff's Bottom, Tortola, on August 24, 2019. Photo: VINO

Players from both teams check in on Ray D. Victor after he went down clutching his ankle. Photo: VINO

Action in the game between Bayside Blazers and Pure Playaz on the opening night of the Hon Julian Fraser Save the Seed League at the Save the Seed Energy Centre in Duff's Bottom, Tortola, on August 24, 2019. Photo: VINO

Action in the game between Bayside Blazers and Pure Playaz on the opening night of the Hon Julian Fraser Save the Seed League at the Save the Seed Energy Centre in Duff's Bottom, Tortola, on August 24, 2019. Photo: VINO

The two teams had met in the finals of the 2018 league where Bayside Blazers swept the 2-best-in-3 series 2-nil to become the first team to win the championship twice.

But then Pure Playaz had lost their talisman Ray D. Victor and the talented Romain Minott to injury.

Victor & Minott return for Pure Playaz

Both men returned to action last night, with Minott netting a game high 29 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals in a stellar performance that helped to fend off Bayside Blazers, who trailed for most of the game but were always a threat with the likes of Kimani T. Stevens (25, points, 11 rebounds) Tavon J. Phillip (17 points, 13 rebounds) and the rugged Douron R. Phillip (14 points, 10 rebounds).

The scores were 41-36 in favour of Pure Playaz at half time and although Bayside Blazers made a number of surges in the 3rd and early 4th quarters, Pure Playaz responded with a plethora of three pointers from Nicols Charles, who totaled 5 three pointers for his 20 points for the night.

Bodean Samuel also got into the scoring act for Pure Playaz with 13 points (6 rebounds, 6 assists) while Victor netted 11 points and grabbed 10 rebounds.

Victor injury scare

There was a slight scare for Pure Playaz fans and team mates alike when Victor went down late in the game clutching his ankle but was able to continue playing, although with some discomfort immediately after.

After the game, Victor said a player had landed on his foot. “That was the same ankle that was injured last year so I was kind of scared but I am good now, just a little pain so I am going to go home and ice it…I’m back,” Victor said.

Asked about what the win over the defending champions Bayside Blazers meant, Victor told Virgin Islands News Online the players wouldn’t get their heads too high in the clouds as a result of the victory.

“It was the first game of the season so I don’t really see it as a big win. I just see it as a measuring game to say ‘hey we beat the Blazers, we know how our team stands and we know what to look forward to next time’, but I know next time they are not coming easy.”

Questioned as to what his team needs to work on as the season progresses, Victor said “we need to play more together and trust each other, that’s the most important thing.”

‘Bayside Blazers will be a force to reckon with’- Rhennie O. Phipps

Meanwhile, Bayside Blazers coach Rhennie O. Phipps commented he was not too worried about the result and felt the team put in a good night’s work.

“Obviously I am not happy but I am not disappointed either. I think the guys showed really good effort tonight. I think with a little more practice, because we have so many new key pieces added to our team this year, I think with chemistry and getting to play together more we will be better going forward.”

Phipps added that he felt the Bayside Blazers put up a good fight against Pure Playaz and will no doubt be a “force to reckon with” going forward.

Prior to the main encounter on the evening, fans were treated to an exhibition game among junior players after Junior Bayside Blazers forfeited to Willful Skillful in the Jr Division.

The opening ceremony, which included the roll call of teams, awarding of replicas and the presentation of the championship rings to 2018 champs Bayside Blazers, preceded the games.