The English Basketball League’s top players hit town at weekend – but Manchester Magic coach Jeff Jones is sweating on the return of a couple of his own.

Magic host the Play-off finals at the Amaechi Centre on Saturday and Sunday, when they will be joined by champions Derby, Bristol and London Mets.

But Jones has had to start his team’s preparations for their final shot at the silverware this season without two of his players because of the travel chaos caused by the Iceland volcanic dust cloud.

Forwards Adam Slater and Tom Pearson have been stranded in India and Italy respectively as Magic start their efforts to shake the tag of runners-up that they have held in all competitions so far this year.

“Adam was in India on business and his girlfriend flew out to join him to extend their stay for a few days’ holiday and they got caught up in everything,” said Jones.

“Tom is driving back so he will have had a tough journey.”

Jones expects both to make it in time for the end-of-season showdown, which he predicts “should be a great weekend”.

The Amaechi Centre – located at Whalley Range High School – hosts a feast of basketball on both days.

Saturday sees the women’s Division One semi-finals – Sheffield v Barking Abbey at noon and UWCI Archers v Northumbria at 2pm.

They are followed by the men’s semis – Derby v Bristol at 4pm and Magic v Mets at 6pm.

Sunday has the men’s Division Two final (Durham v Northumbria, 11am), the women’s Division One final (1.15pm) and the main event of the men’s Division One final (3.30pm).

Admission is £10 per day (£5 concs).

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