DEFENDING Champions Shaq Attaq started its defence of the 2010 Easter Basketball title with a well deserved 48-30 win over McPacers on Tuesday night. Shaq used all its experience, combination and team work to help them to a resounding victory. McPacers tried hard all throughout the night but in the end they came short as the Shaq defense held on till the final hooter. In another tough clash on the opening day of competition, Saints proved too strong for Boston beating them 40-28. Boston had some former national reps but they just couldn't stop the fired-up Saints side. Veterans from Raiwaqa also didn't have a good start to their Easter campaign as they went down to Air Iguanes 30-24. But it was good start for the Apenisa Tuimabualau-led G Unit side as they accounted for Pitbulls 30-26 in a very tight clash. Both sides took to the court with confidence looking for any scoring opportunities available. In the women's competition it was Golden Bati which started the tournament with two wins from their opening two games. In the first game they thrashed Shaq Attaq 53-11 before they piled up another big score in the win over Southern Force 63-5.

Results of the first day of competition:

Women's

Golden Bati 53 Shaq Attaq 11

Knights 39 Raiwai 12

Chosen 3 Wed C 42

Golden Bati 63 Southern Force 5

Men's

Shaq Attaq 48 MacPacers 30

Veterans 24 Air Iguanes 30

G Unit 30 Pitbulls 26

Saints 40 Boston 28

Today's draws

Court 1

6pm Lautoka Saints Mixed Kulture (W)

7pm Shaq Attaq- Bankstown (M)

8pm Veterans Youngsters (M)

9pm Vikings Pitbulls (M)

Court 2

6pm Shaq Attaq Nadi (W)

7:00 Southern Force Vikings (W)

8pm Baseliners Nadi (M)

9pm Lautoka Saints Wed C (W)

The Fiji Times Newspaper

Thursday 1st April, 2010