New and slimmer Mike

Yee Chun Leong

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Friday, January 1, 2010

A NEW year, a new Mike Pilgrim. Slimmer and tougher.

"I lost three kilogrammes in December alone," said the Barracudas centre when met at a practice session yesterday. today.

The Barracudas making their playoff run in their remaining five games in the Asean Basketball League (ABL) play the Thailand Tigers on Monday and Pilgrim is ready for the Thai test.

"Fans will see a tougher and more motivated Mike Pilgrim on the court in the new year," said Pilgrim in an interview with The Brunei Times yesterday.

The 25-year-old American has adjusted well to the warmer and more humid weather and the way of living in the Sultanate and he is ready to rock.

"It's all good now. I'm really used to my new environment now and the food is pretty good," said Pilgrim, who had difficulty adjusting to his new 'home' when he first arrived in September.

"I think the heat here helps me get in shape," added Pilgrim.

But, he has no secret diet or formula just plain old-fashioned hard work and determination.

"I've been working out with the team and it has been a long time since I last worked so hard. I'm also looking after my diet. I'm drinking less Pepsi and replacing it with water," said American.

Asked to compare his home town, Ohio, in the United States, to Bandar Seri Begawan the 6ft 9in American said: "It's a lot slower here but the best thing about Brunei is that it's really peaceful and I like the people here."

Despite being here for only three months, Pilgrim and his compatriot and teammate, Reggie Larry, have acquired a 'celebrity status' among basketball fans in the Sultanate. Read More…

Source: The Brunei Times