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SCMP Reporter

PAST champions Seasonal are determined to reassert their authority by completing the ''triple crown'' of Hongkong basketball this year - winning the Division A1 League, Challenge Shield and Super Commercial Cup.

 Seasonal, a dominant force in domestic basketball in the 1980s and winners of all three titles as recently as 1990, finished the past two seasons empty handed after teams were allowed to import professional players.

 It seems Seasonal have found their winning formula this year with new American recruit Mark Meredith forming a formidable partnership with regular Hongkong visitors Dave Willard and Chad Tucker.

 Although they were defeated by highly erratic Suntex in the regular season of the league competition, they still managed to top the table and went in to the play-off round with a five-point head start.

 The only unbeaten team in the play-off round, having defeated Frankwell and Regal, a victory over defending champions Seapower at MacPherson Stadium tonight would virtually assure them the league crown.

 Team manager Ng See-yuen, however, warned that they could not afford to relax in their other remaining fixtures against Fukien and Suntex. ''We we must not underestimate the other teams. I want to win all five play-off matches,'' he said.

 Ng added he would not be content with only the league trophy and have set his sights on completing the ''triple crown''.

 They face the same opposition in the Challenge Shield knockout tournament which is already underway, but their biggest challenge looks the money-spinning Super Commercial Cup in late June. Unlike the other domestic competitions in which teams can only register three overseas professionals, there is no limit on the numbers of foreign players allowed for the Super Commercial Cup.

 Corporate sponsored teams like Burlingame, Frankwell and Seapower have spent well over $500,000 on players for the week-long tournament in the past and budgets have been increasing every year.

 Ng made it clear he would be spending lavishly, saying: ''We will be keeping Mark, Dave and Chad for the Super Commercial Cup because they have been going a great job for us and it is only logical to retain them.

 ''But I have some great stuff lined-up, another five to six top level American players.'' 



Seasonal seek return to the forefront with 'triple crown'