VETERAN Aitor Estrada downplayed talks of a rivalry ahead of Lancashire Spinners’ season opener against Manchester Magic on Saturday, writes Allen Gunn.

The Bury-based basketball club will make the short trip to the Amaechi Centre, Whalley Range to take on Magic in the National Trophy and the 36-year-old guard has kept a level-headed approach towards their division foe.

He said: “It’s kind of a bit of a revenge game but it’s really just the beginning of the season and it doesn’t really matter. I don’t think it’s relevant what happens. We will try our best obviously and see how it goes.

“It will be great if we can get a win but it’s not the end of the world if we don’t because we are still just getting to know each other.”

Estrada is one in a number of current Spinners players to have spent time at the Manchester outfit, which also includes Steven Gayle, Connor Murtagh, Conor Porter, Tayo Oyefusi, Andre Gayle and Mark Rangeley.

The Spaniard played the 2008/09 season at the club before joining Rossendale Raptors, now Lancashire Spinners, in 2011.

He added: “We have the potential to be a great team and be competitive in Division One if we continue on our current progress.

“We just need to try and keep it cool and just played hard – be confident with the team we’ve got and share the ball.”

Spinners pushed British Basketball League side Leeds Force in a tune-up game last Saturday narrowly losing 80-76 and were led by 17-year-old guard Alex Roberts’ 18 points.

Meanwhile, sharp shooter Josh Houghton has moved back to Magic having left the Lancashire organisation after a year and a half.

Houghton was second in scoring on Spinners averaging 20.4 points per game in Division Two in 2014/15.

Magic were one of the top clubs in Division One last season finishing as runners up in the league and play-offs whilst they captured both the National Trophy and National Cup.

Tip off is at 6.30pm and tickets are £5 for adults and concessions £2.50. Tickets for families of two adults and two under-16s are £10.