Defending champions Urban Knights stands ready to defend their national basketball league title, despite not starting favorites in the league which tips off on the weekend.

The knights who has won the league five times beat Spanish town Spartans 2-1 in the best of three final the last time the league was played in 2013, and since then has lost some key players including the sensational point guard Jevon Bailey, who is now with the pre-season favorites Uwi Runnin Rebels.

However president of the Urban Knights Gordon porter is not perturbed.

Urban Knights President Gordon Porter

The Knights face the Uwi Runnin Rebel in the opening game at 6 pm on Saturday inside the national arena, while the st Georges Slayers oppose the Spartans at 7:45.

The league which includes 11 teams from the Southern conference 3 from the central, 3 from Eastern and 5 from the Western conference will run for three months with a mid-season final set for March 10.