If any team has Laventille's number it's Maloney. Not once, not twice but three times out of five meetings to date, Maloney has defeated Laventille.
In front of a massive crowd high in the hills, Maloney stunned the home team 74-65 to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match semi-final series of the Ministry of National Security Hoop of Life Community Basketball League Tournament played on Thursday night at the St Barb's Basketball Court, Laventille.
At stake is a place in the finals worth TT$1.5 million and that was enough motivation for Laventille which jumped out to a slim 21-20 lead in the first quarter which they increased to 38-32 at half-time.
The third quarter saw both teams looking for the edge which Maloney found when it went on 5-1 run and that pushed the visitors to a 49-46 lead to close the session.
In the fourth stanza, Maloney's defense stood firm behind six-ten centre Gimel Lewis, who had six blocks shots in the session and six of his 14 points kept Laventille offence led by Kurt "Coto" Christian and company at at bay.
Maloney's attack was spearheaded by centre Shawn Lawrence, who dropped 16 points, while point-guard Kevon Noreiga added 13.
It was the first time in 26 home games played at St Barb's Basketball Court, that Laventille lost. Their top scorers were guards Orlando Mapp and Christian with 14 and 15 points respectively and forward Steven "Lighter" Lewis with 14.
The rivalry started back in 2012 when Laventille journeyed to Maloney and was beaten 89-61 and needed to win the return match by 29 points. They did and won by 33. In 2013, again Maloney defeated them in Maloney 95-66 and this time Laventille had to win by a similar 29 points, but came up short with an 87-69 victory and Maloney went to their first final only to lose in three-matches to La Romaine 2-1.
During that victory, Laventille fans were accused of violating the Hoop of Life Rules, Guidelines and Code of Conduct and the team was suspended for two matches eventually finishing fourth.
Game two is on Sunday, and Laventille must create history by beating Maloney for the first time in Maloney and by ten or more points if they are to qualify for the second finals.
Meanwhile, Game two in the semi-final contest between Caledonia and Marabella will be played tonight at Paradise heights in Morvant in which the visitors need to win by four or more to book their place in finals just as they did in 2012 at Caledonia's expense.
In 2012 forward Ako Pascall scored 35 points on the Paradise Heights Court which gave Marabella an 81-77 victory. In the return match Caledonia won by one 89-88.
Caledonia objective is to avoid having to play for third place for the third consecutive year.
The winner of the tournament will walk away with $1.5 million, while the runners-up will pocket $500,000, third placed team $250,000 and fourth place $100,000.
RESULTS
Semi-finals Match-ups (Game-1)
Marabella lost to Caledoinia, 77-73
Laventille lost to Maloney (Game-1) 74-65
Semi-final Match-ups: (Game-2)
Today
Caledonia v Marabella @ Paradise Heights, Morvant, 7.30 pm
Tomorrow
Maloney v Laventille @ Maloney, 7:30 pm