Andrew Alleyne today revealed why he turned his back on the Commonwealth Games to help in a British League play-off push.

Alleyne under-pinned a gutsy Genesis Brighton Bears comeback as they enjoyed a 79-76 win last night at Chester Jets, the team who beat them at the Triangle on Saturday.

The former Barbados international, and Bears captain, has put club before country, despite efforts by his national team to lure him out of retirement.

Alleyne has laughed off a report in the Caribbean media that Bears blocked him from going to Melbourne.

He admitted the claim was unfair on the club and said: "It was my decision. I couldn't go at this time.

"I'm looking to make the play-offs and at the end of the day this is my job. I've got to put my job first.

"I retired but Barbados called me back. I can play in the Caricom Championships in Jamaica this summer.

"The Commonwealth Games for Caribbean countries is like our Olympics so it's a big thing but I have to look after my family and this is my job.

"They (Barbados) wouldn't pay me much to go there."

Barbados were so disappointed when one of their all-time greats quit international basketball two years ago they asked The Argus to try to persuade him to re-consider.

Although he only scored seven points, the big centre was in his element last night against a big Chester line-up.

Bears showed lots of character to come from 46-26 down in the second quarter for a third win in four games.

They almost threw it away by missing five free throws out of six in the last minute.

That gave three-point specialist Richard Murphy a chance to force overtime on the buzzer but his tough shot over Alleyne was way off target.

Bears coach Phil Waghorn said: "This performance just shows what we can do at a tough place to play.

"We would have won by eight or nine if we could shoot free throws.

"I thought we responded well and played aggressive and tough basketball in what became an aggressive and tough second half.

"It's a massive win for us and credit goes to the guys for sticking together."

Jerry Williams top-scored with 32 points and led a 12-2 burst which took Bears ahead entering the last five minutes.

Steve Parillon added 20 points and Terrance McGee 13 while the big men fought their own battle against the likes of 13-point Billy Singleton.

Bears were 50-36 adrift at half-time but had a 11-2 tear in the third quarter.

Waghorn added: "What worked well for us was the way Drew and Martin (Yabsley) did a job inside, opening things up either for themselves to score or to help someone else."

Phil Gilbert led Chester with 22 points.

Jets trio Damon Bailey, James Hamilton and John Simpson all fouled out in the latter stages.

The result lited Bears back above Chester into seventh place in the BBL Championship.

In the other only game yesterday, Guildford Heat strengthened their position in fifth place with a third consecutive win, this time beating Plymouth Raiders 98-89.

Ajou Deng was the star with a huge double-double of 30 points and 13 rebounds, while Brian Dux chipped in with 23 points for the home side.