Season 53 Featured Game No. 1...San Jose at Sacramento

 SACRAMENTO 82, SAN JOSE 71

R-DOGS JUMP AMIGOS EARLY IN BIG WIN

SACRAMENTO -- So much for San Jose going unbeaten in the regular season as the home team River Dogs of Sacramento hung a 31-point first quarter on the visitors and coasted to an opening day 82-71 win.

The only downside for the victors was the first quarter loss of guard Flip Phelps who was 2 for 2 from deep in the first quarter and then felled for three games to injury (Hurricane Furrwizard was picked up in his place).

PLAYER OF THE GAME

24 GVP...Couldn't blame this loss on the new acquisition to the San Jose lineup, 6-8 guard VINNY ZAZEECH. Playing the point, the third-year man led all scorers with 22 points, hitting his first five 3-pointers before finally missing one. He was 7 for 11 from the floor (slamming one home), 3 for 6 from the foul one and pulled down 2 rebounds in an excellent Amigos debut.

OTHER 20-PLUS GVP PERFORMERS

21 GVP...Sacramento's rookie shooting guard Karma Chameleon held up very well in his first MBA contest, tying for team-high in scoring with 15 points, tying for team-high in rebounds with 5 and adding 1 assist.

21 GVP...Fifth-year forward Crentis Dentist of Sacramento tied for team high in scoring with 15 points, grabbed 2 boards, assisted 1 time and blocked 1 shot. He also got out of the blocks very well toward defending his steals title from last season, swiping a game-high 2 steals.

21 GVP...San Jose mainstay Eddie "the Milkman" Creamer scored 15 points, pulled down 4 rebounds, assisted 1 and stole 1 in the loss.

20 GVP...Sturdy San Jose power forward Charles Broccoli hauled down a game-high 6 caroms, scored 13 points and registered 1 assist in the loss.

NEXT UP: Plenty of tickets remain for the Los Angeles Big One's home opener. They take on the Gillette Humps to start the Season 53 campaign.