Basketball: Giants win despite salary cap dispute

MANCHESTER GIANTS put the salary cap dispute behind them with an 86- 81 opening night victory over Peugeot Bullets, Birmingham on Saturday, then immediately focused on squaring their account with the Budweiser League.

The League refused to licence John White, who was injured anyway, and issued only single game licences for the rest of the team pending Thursday's hearing into allegations that Giants have broken the pounds 157,000 salary cap.

Giants' general manager Jay Goldberg said: "John White will be licensed and will play against Thames Valley Tigers next Saturday if he is fit. Everything else is speculation." Goldberg was apparently ending speculation that White, signed from Greater London Leopards, would be released to satisfy the League's regulations.

Another new signing, former Bullet Tony Dorsey, led Giants scorers with 30 points, breaking a 78-78 tie before Ronnie Baker scored four consecutive free throws to seal the victory.

Derby Storm went top of the table after two wins, beating Chester Jets 103-93 on Saturday and, more impressively, winning 87-82 at Tigers last night. Jets lost again last night, 76-67 at home to Milton Keynes Lions.

Malcolm Leak's three pointer, five seconds from time, snatched a 95-94 win for London Towers over new franchise Edinburgh Rocks, while the Leopards won 77-73 at Newcastle Eagles to spoil Peter Scantlebury's record breaking 467th league appearance.