Defending champions St Georges Slayers will take on the Falmouth Saints when the Super 12 round of the National Basketball League tips off at the National Arena in Kingston on Saturday, February 1.

In the other match on the day, the UWI Running Rebels will take on the Montego Bay CC Knights in the new format introduced by the Jamaica Basketball Association.

The top-12 teams from across the island will participate in an opening parade prior to the start of the round of competition that will also feature Portmore Flames, Spanish Town Spartans, Rae Town Raptors, Tivoli Wizards, Upper Room eagles, Urban Knights, Pembroke Hall Warriors and Central Celtics.

The teams emerged as the top 12 following three months of eliminations at the regional conference level. The JABA Development Committee designed the new format to ensure the showcasing of the best local talent.

The respective conferences were asked to conduct their internal eliminations, which reduced the playoffs to 16 teams after which there is a further elimination to arrive at the Super 12 stage. Going forward there will be a process of promotion and demotion to maintain this Elite and more manageable level.

President of the Jamaica Olympic Association and Denzil Wilks General Manager of the Sports Development Foundation will greet the teams during the opening parade.

Both organizations are consistent supporters of basketball and sports in general.