Former champs in Regal defeat

REGAL shot to the top of the Division A1 standings after hammering former champions Seapower 79-69 at the MacPherson Stadium last night to remain the only unbeaten side in the seven-team competition.

Chairman's Cup and President's Cup holders Regal, who are in their second season but still searching for their first major title, have scored four straight wins to top the tables with 12 points, two ahead of Suntex.

They started the match on a tentative note and Seapower took the early lead, but once they settled in, Regal slowly pegged the deficit and led 40-38 at half-time thanks to a basket by guard Cheyenne Gibson in the dying seconds.

Carroll Bordreaux got Regal off on a high note with a six-point spree at the beginning of the second period and they extended their advantage to double figures after nine minutes, 64-53.

However, a six-minute scoreless spell saw Seapower closed the gap to within one point before Gibson set Regal rolling again with a confident-boosting three-pointer.

Regal sank into trouble when American Andre Foreman, who had been dominating the rebounds, fouled out seven minutes from time. And their fortunes fell further when they also lost Shawn Jamison to five fouls with three-and-a-half minutes remaining, and leading only 69-65.

They were forced to field three local players but the inspirational Gibson took control and led them to a commanding 10-point victory.

Bordreaux led the scoring with 30 points while Gibson scored 25 and ''local'' Tripp Dixon also played an important role in their triumph, playing the whole 40 minutes and scoring 11 points.