t THE 2024 Basketball Dar es Salaam League (BDL) defending champion, Dar City, has opened its campaign in the showdown on the wrong foot, having lost 77-66 to rival JKT at Don Bosco Upanga courts last weekend.

The results were, moreover, revenge for JKT given the army side had last season suffered a loss to Dar City in three of the four-game series of the men's finals.

In last weekend's clash, the teams started the game fast and found themselves finishing the first quarter tied at 21-21 points.

In the second quarter, JKT came back stronger and went to the breather leading 39-31.

The teams continued to play at a fast pace and JKT turned out to be stronger as the army outfit looked determined to take revenge. The outfit eventually led 55-50 in the third quarter.

JKT's coach, Christian Jacob 'Webber', said he is happy to get his outfit's league campaign underway well with a win, believing that this is the beginning of efforts to hold sway this season.

Jacob revealed: "Winning against a tough team like Dar City is something to be thankful for and we are really happy."

"I believe this victory will give us great morale in our upcoming games because we are, this season, determined to regain the BDL top honour," the tactician said.

In the men's category other tie, DB Oratory beat Srelio 80-59 while the women's category witnessed the defending champions, Vijana Queens, opening their campaign impressively by wallopping City Queens 90-25.

Other matches had Jeshi Stars defeating their counterparts Twalipo Queens 95-23, and JKT Stars thrashing counterparts Mgulani Stars 52-21.