ABL: Barracudas Press Release and Schedule

The Barracudas: Official team launching, press conference and unveiling of full roster to the media in I Lotus Restaurant at 3pm today. Everyone’s excited. More photos in our Facebook fan page, become a fan!

The teams website is accessible here but it’s still under construction. So stay tuned until it’s ready. You might want to bookmark the link. I would love to see the team having their own cheerleaders and a mascot that would be fun. 
(The Barracudas,  with team owner Ms. Nadzaty Azma Azeez, Brunei’s Tourism Chief, Sheikh Jimmy and BBA officials during the official team launching and press conference).

Complete schedule for the 2009-2010 ABL Season can be found here.

PRESS RELEASE -

Let the excitement begin. After months of speculation and interest, the nation of Brunei bore witness to the birth of the very first professional basketball team in the Sultanate with the official launching of the Barracudas.

The team jet off today to begin their campaign in the inaugural ASEAN Basketball League with two away games to Singapore Slingers on Sunday October 11 and then the Kuala Lumpur Dragons on Wednesday October 14.

So while the Brunei basketball crowd will have to wait just a while longer to catch the Barracudas in action, the Brunei media and a small host of guests got the opportunity to meet up with the team up close and personal.

Within the parameters of the rules set by the ABL, the Barracudas are comprised of a mixture of players from outside and within Brunei and are ably guided by their experienced head coach Geraldo Bong Ramos from the Philippines.

 (The Barracudas gathered for the media photo shoot, Some key players like Esmond Tan  wasn’t able to make it due to other commitments.)

The trio of Francis Adriano, Celedon Camaso and Leonidas Avenido also from the Philippines will join the American duo of 6’11” Lonnie Jones and 6’9” Mike Pilgrim to form a formidable starting five for the Barracudas.

While the imports are expected to play an absolutely pivotal role in the upcoming months, the local players will have an equally important role to play in backing up the imports with some quality minutes.

The local players, headed by vice-captain Esmond Tan Kah Hong, have been undergoing a crash course in basketball at the highest level and coach Ramos has been impressed by their work ethic.

“They may lack some of the basics that other teams have but they have tried their utmost best in the short space of time that we had and they have applied themselves the best they can.

“Their role is very important. All I ask of them is to provide me quality minutes with some good defense and hustle. If they can do that then I think we will be in very good shape,” said the Filipino coach.

Together with Benny Ang, the Barracudas’ Basketball Operations Manager, Coach Ramos has worked tirelessly to secure their lineup to ensure that the Barracudas are a competitive outfit in the inaugural ABL.

(Mr. Benny Ang, The Operations Manager of the team with his welcome speech to the guests and the media.)

“Even before I arrived in Brunei, Benny (Ang) and I have been in constant communication with regards to building the team that we want.

“It was a new adventure every single day and given the short space of time that we had, we feel we have done the best job possible of building a team that can compete in the ABL,” added Coach Ramos.

Brunei’s first chance to watch the Barracudas in action will be on October 18 at the National Indoor Stadium against the KL Dragons with tip-off at 4pm. Ticket details will be released soon.

The Barracudas are owned by Everwide Sports Company and the management are grateful for the support from the various government departments and also the companies from the private sector who have stepped in to assist.

“We are extremely thankful to the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, the Ministry of Home Affairs, Brunei Tourism and the Brunei Basketball Association for their support and assistance. They have certainly made our task a lot easier and we are eternally grateful for that.

“We also have to thank the various private corporations that have come in to assist us and support us in whatever way they can,” said Benny Ang, the Barracudas Basketball Operations Manager.

Complete schedule of the 2009-2010 ABL Season can be found here.

FULL LINE UP:

Francis Adriano (Capt),

Esmond Tan (Vice Capt),

Celedon Camaso,

Leonidez Avenido,

Michael Pilgrim,

Lonnie Jones,

Fong Yeh Leong,

Ho Hee Lee,

Lim Aik Hock,

Benjamin Lim,

Benjamin Sim,

Hj Md Badri Hj Mohd Suhaili,

Md Jamri Ramlee,

Muhd Mohzani  Abd Ghani,

Soon Kian Leong