BULLISH Trey Moore has one simple reason why Tony Garbelotto’s winning streak against the Newcastle Eagles is about to end – he’s not playing for the Mersey Tigers anymore.

Experienced Mersey coach Garbelotto is the man that helped kick-start the career of Newcastle talisman Fab Flournoy, transforming the face of North East basketball along the way.

Just lately, though, he has been more of a thorn in the side of the Eagles – ending their interest in last year’s play-offs and this year’s BBL Cup in emphatic fashion.

It would be a living nightmare for Newcastle fans if Garbelotto managed to chalk up a hat-trick of big wins by knocking them out of the Trophy tonight, but Moore, who was playing for Garbelotto on Merseyside last season, is certain the Eagles will prevail.

With the fierce rivals locked at 82-82 from Wednesday’s first leg in the North West, it promises to be a mouth-watering clash when the Tigers roll into town tonight (tip-off 7.30pm). And for Moore (pictured right) – who has already likened it to a “heavyweight title fight” – there is a point to prove against Garbelotto.

“What is the difference from the play-off game? Well, I’m here,” he said. “I was with Everton last year and I could control the game. This year I’m with Newcastle and I can control it from here.

“And I know Tony (Garbelotto). I played with Tony, I have played against him – and I know he will have his guys ready to play. I think I’m pretty sure that I know how he will play too. It will be a slug fest – it will be like a heavyweight fight. And we have to be ready to go out there and give it our all.” Given his contribution to the Tigers’ play-off victory back in May, Moore’s confidence in his own ability would appear to be justified. He ran the show as Garbelotto’s men dominated a lacklustre Newcastle, who ironically had current Tiger Drew Sullivan in their ranks.

And he admits that insider knowledge of his opponents’ locker-room secrets can play a big factor.

“It was a big advantage for me last year,” he said. “I knew exactly how Fab was going to play and that he would have his guys ready to play.

“We won the first game of those play-offs but before we came for the return game, in practice I was telling them how tough it was going to be.

“I knew everyone would have their guards up and be ready to go.

“I have an idea of how Tony will be playing this time, and the message is really that we have to match the intensity of the first leg. Will it help? I think so. It definitely adds a bit of intensity and excitement to the game for me – I don’t want to lose this one.”

Flournoy will brush off a finger injury to play for the Eagles, who are bidding to preserve their record of making the last six Trophy finals. They have prevailed in the last two.

Adding to the excitement surrounding tonight’s do-or-die clash, this year’s showpiece will take place at the O2 Arena before the first ever NBA game played on these shores.

“That is a big, big motivation for us,” Moore said. “That is really a big opportunity for us to be part of a momentous occasion. But it is the same for them as well, so it’s going to be an exciting game.”