Ralph Blalock admits he needs a few more minutes of highlights before he goes back to the United States.

Ten minutes to be more precise, so what could be better then registering those magical moments while repeating the play-off success he enjoyed two years ago?

Brighton Bears' influential guard was a key man for the Leicester Riders side which stunned basketball, not least Nick Nurse's London Towers in the semis, en route to the BBL Play-Off Championship.

Bears will be looking to add their name to the roll of honour as they take on Newcastle Eagles in the semis on Saturday (3.30pm), with the winners meeting Sheffield Sharks or Scottish Rocks in Sunday's final (5pm).

Blalock's triumph came at Wembley whereas this year's final four is being staged at the NIA in Birmingham, but that is not the only difference.

He said: "At Leicester we were underdogs. I think we were last seeds, just got in, and we came up with four victories in a row.

"This time we had home court advantage, a tough warm-up game against the Towers and hopefully we can go in physically and mentally prepared to play these two games.

"It will take a lot of determination, effort and intensity to come away with two wins against athletic and very coachable sides.

"We are focussing on the first game in hand. I don't really want to look past just playing good basketball on Saturday.

"Newcatle have got good shooters in Andrew Mavis and Jeremy Hyatt, Charles Smith is a good all-round player who shoots well inside and then they have got (top scorer) Niki Arinze.

"Then there is TJ Walker at point guard but we've got the answer because Randy Duck is our driving force and he is going to be ready on the day.

"Those two are probably the best two point guards in the league so it will be a great match-up."

Blalock was dubbed King Ralph by Newcastle fans during three seasons in the north east which saw him average 20 points per game.

He said: "It was great for me up there, we were playing well, but in my last season we weren't successful and they had to let me go.

"There's no hard feelings so there should be no hard feelings when we beat them either."

A two-week break from competitive action has done wonders for Bears various bumps and bruises.

The build-up to Saturday began in earnest this week, with back-up players taking the roles of Hyatt and Walker in training as Bears planned their strategy.

With the exception of the under-contract Duck, everyone training at Falmer knew this could be their last week in the employment of the Bears, though informal talks about next season are underway with several players.

Blalock said: "Nick asked me back but we haven't talked about a contract yet.

"I want to come back, I want to play in a winning squad, I want to play in a place I like with good guys so that will probably weigh heavily in my decision."

Some of Brighton's landmark occasions of recent years will hold fond memories for Blalock, whether or not he returns from his native Pennsylvania next term.

He was top scorer when Newcastle spoiled Bears' big return to the Brighton Centre in 1999.

Then he did it again for Leicester as Bears were defeated by the Riders in Nurse's first game as coach 18 months ago.

A similar feat at the weekend would round the season off nicely and offer some great viewing to take back home.

Blalock has been compiling a highlights reel from the season along with Bears video operator Paul McGurk and still has some tape to fill.

He revealed: "I've saved about another ten minutes at the end of the tape.

"Hopefully I'll have some good things but as I long as I can put us on there holding up the trophy that will be good for my highlights."