Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter

Last year's beaten finalists, Metrobelles, will look to end their season on a positive note when they take on the Brave Smilers in the Modern Rubber Stamp Jamaica Basketball Association (JBA) Women's League third place play-off at 6:00 p.m. today at the National Stadium courts.

On Sunday, vastly depleted from last year due to the absence of several players on scholarships, the Belles were overwhelmed when they met the Bullets in the competition's semi-final and lost by more than a 30-point margin.

Today, while revenge is out of reach, they will certainly need to have a bit of pride and confidence restored to their young developing squad.

"It's very important for us to salvage something. We're a young team and we will already be looking for motivation for next season," said Metrobelles coach Maurice Gordon.

"We also lost to them this season, that is something that has never happened before, so today's game is very important to us," he added.

Rusty from the break

"We were a bit rusty from the break and we had some key players missing, but we will be ready for today's game," Gordon pointed out.

While the Smilers may not be as tough an opponent as the Waulgrovian Bullets they will be no pushovers. With one over the Belles already this season they will want some vindication themselves, having gone down to a young and inexperienced JABA Under-18 team in their semi-final game.

"We want to come in third place but will have to play good defence against JABA. We weren't scoring, the defence was fine today, we will look for both," said Smilers coach Carol Spaulding.

"It gives us a bit of confidence having beaten them before and if we put our all into it we should come out on top, but like I said we just need to focus on our defence." Spaulding observed.

The Smilers will still be without top scorer, Paulette Gayle, who missed Sunday's game with a toe injury.

In Saturday's final, the JABA Under-18 All Stars will take on the Waulgrovian Bullets.