EIG Elite Basketball League Tips Off With a Statement Opening Night

PLEASANTVILLE, Trinidad and Tobago August 23, 2026 Trinidad and Tobago basketball entered a new chapter Sunday night as the EIG Elite Basketball League (EIG EBL) tipped off in spectacular fashion at the Southern Regional Indoor Sport Arena in Pleasantville.

With Electrical Industries Group (EIG) serving as the title sponsor, the opening night delivered the kind of atmosphere organizers envisioned for a league designed to help revitalize the local game: dramatic lighting, a smoke tunnel entrance, music, team introductions and a charged building that carried onto the court when Southside Elite and Trinidad & Tobago Police Service (TTPS) took center stage.

The opening ceremony featured a special lighting presentation and smoke tunnel entrance, with players introduced as they made their way onto center court. It was a statement that the new league intends to make basketball an exciting part of the Trinidad and Tobago sporting landscape.

Ramkissoon: EIG wants to help revitalize basketball

In his feature address, EIG Chairman Dave Ramkissoon spoke about the company's decision to team up with the Elite Basketball League as part of an effort to help revitalize basketball in Trinidad and Tobago.

Ramkissoon reflected on the 1980s, recalling when EIG, together with the late businessman Richard Fackooray, established the Super 10 Basketball League. That competition created a platform for some of the country's best players and coaches.

Now, decades later, EIG is once again backing domestic basketball this time as title sponsor of the EIG Elite Basketball League.

The message was clear: the league is about more than putting teams on a court. It is about creating opportunities, developing talent and providing a competitive platform for players and coaches.

Southside comes out firing

Southside Elite wasted little time making its presence felt.

The team stormed to a 22-7 lead after the opening period, putting TTPS on the back foot from the start. TTPS responded in the second quarter, winning the period 19-13, and continued to chip away at the deficit in the third, taking that quarter 14-6.

But Southside had built enough of a cushion to withstand the comeback.

The fourth quarter belonged to Southside, which outscored TTPS 21-12 to close out a 62-52 victory in the league's opening-night matchup.

Southside's perimeter shooting proved particularly important. The team made eight three-pointers, compared with three for TTPS, while both teams converted seven free throws. Southside also committed 15 turnovers to TTPS' 24.

Valley sets the standard

Southside Elite power forward/center Jelani Valley delivered one of the standout individual performances of opening night, earning the distinction of Most Efficient Player with a +22 rating.

Valley finished with the only double-double 17 points and 10 rebounds, while also contributing two assists, three steals and one blocked shot. His +22 efficiency rating led all players for the game.

Akheel Boyd added 14 points, while Tyrik Singh scored 13. Point guard Jason Friday finished with 10 points and a game-high six assists, helping Southside control the game despite TTPS' second- and third-quarter surge.

TTPS brings NBA experience

TTPS also featured a player with professional basketball experience in Johnny Hamilton, who previously signed with the Detroit Pistons for a training camp opportunity in 2018 and with the Atlanta Hawks in 2021.

Hamilton showed his defensive impact on opening night, recording a game-high four blocks. He also pulled down eight rebounds, providing TTPS with an imposing presence around the basket.

Hamilton's defensive production was one of the highlights of TTPS' effort as the team attempted to recover from Southside's fast start. His four blocks were the most recorded by any player in the game.

Bucks Malique Lewis attended

Also, in the building was Malique Lewis, Milwaukee Bucks 60th pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, along with his manager Johnathan Weekes who was a former top T&T high school player.

Fisher leads TTPS effort

For TTPS, Fabrice Fisher led the team with 18 points, while Mikihail Williams added 11. Fisher also grabbed six rebounds and recorded three steals.

TTPS shot efficiently from two-point range, converting 60 percent of its attempts, but Southside's early advantage and superior three-point production proved decisive.

Friday: "The energy motivated us"

After the game, Southside Elite point guard Jason Friday expressed his excitement about playing in the new league's opening-night environment.

Friday said the team was excited by the atmosphere and energy inside the building and explained that the environment motivated the players for the game.

For a league playing its first official game, that reaction was significant. The EBL's opening night was designed to create an experience for players and spectators alike and Southside felt that energy from the opening tip.

Blue Waters keeps the teams hydrated

The league's opening night also highlighted the support of Blue Waters, the EBL's official hydration sponsor.

As part of the partnership, Blue Waters will distribute Blue Waters bottled water and Stamina energy drink to each team for every game, helping players stay hydrated and energized throughout the EBL season.

The partnership adds another important element to the league's commitment to providing teams and players with the support they need as the competition unfolds.

A new platform for Trinidad and Tobago basketball

The launch of the EIG Elite Basketball League comes with expectations that extend well beyond Sunday's result.

Ramkissoon's recollection of the initial Super 10 era offered a reminder of what a strong domestic competition can mean for Trinidad and Tobago basketball. With EIG as title sponsor and Blue Waters as hydration sponsor, the new EBL has the backing to build an environment focused on competition, player development and the overall presentation of the sport.

On opening night, the league certainly looked the part.

The lights came up. The smoke rolled in. The players walked through the tunnel and onto center court. A former NBA training-camp player anchored TTPS' defense. Southside's Jelani Valley emerged as the game's most efficient player. And the first result went into the history books.

Final: Southside Elite 62, TTPS 52.

Most Efficient Player: Jelani Valley +22 – Southside Elite.

Most Points: Fabrice Fisher 18 - TTPS

Most Blocks: Johnny Hamilton: 4 - TTPS

Most Rebounds: Jelani Valley 10 - Southside Elite and Johnny Hamilton 8 - TTPS

The EIG Elite Basketball League has officially tipped off and if opening night was any indication, Trinidad and Tobago basketball has plenty to look forward to.

Games continue on Friday night at Pleasantville with a double header starting at 7:30pm.