THE 2012 FLOW/National Basketball League got underway on Saturday at UTech’s Alfred Sangster auditorium with the opening ceremony, dress parade and two games.

In the opening matches, defending champions Tivoli Wizards defeated last season’s finalist Majesty Legends, 73-66, as they go in search of their third straight title, while in the battle of the newcomers, Spanish Town Spartans got the campaign off to a winning start after easing past Eastern Piston, 72-57.

Meanwhile, Denise Williams, FLOW’s director of corporate and government affairs, said as sponsors they could not ask for more, as the tournament has been well planned and organised and they eagerly await what is expected to be an exciting season.

“We are proud that the opening game is being streamed live… and we look to you (players) for outstanding basketball action in the coming games,” she told the gathering.

Boss of local basketball Ajani Williams stated that they have now developed a strong relationship with the sponsors and that has helped to improve the quality of the league.

“We understands what needs to be improved… so we have nothing but good things in store,” he said.

Minister with responsibility for sports, Natalie Neita-Headley, noted that the game is still growing locally, but despite the strides made by the governing body JaBA, there needs to further improvements so Jamaica can continue to reap the benefits the sport has to offer.

“Already our country is associated with Jamaican-born players like Patrick Ewing, Wayne Sappleton… and more recently Jerome Jordan and Samardo Samuels, so I am satisfied with the strides made to enhance the experience of the game,” she stated.

The league continue today with two games at the stadium courts starting at 6:00 pm.