Three new teams for ABL this season

KUALA LUMPUR: The new season of the Asean Basketball League (ABL), which will begin in October, will see the introduction of three new teams.

ABL founder Datuk Seri Tony Fernandes said that from six teams in the inaugural season, which ended in February, the second season would see at least 10 teams taking part.

“We expect Vietnam to join the ABL this October. We’re targeting participation from all the 10 Asean countries,” he said after presenting last season’s players’ awards yesterday.

Fernandes said the Philippine Patriots, winners of the inaugural ABL crown, could now eye the Asian Basketball Championship as the ABL provided the best platform for international exposure.

Six teams – Philippine Patriots, Satria Muda Britama (Indonesia), Singapore Slingers, Thailand Tigers, Brunei Barracudas and KL Dragons took part in the first season.

KL Dragons finished fourth, behind Satria Muda Britama, Singapore Slingers and the Philippine Patriots.

Jason Dixon (pic) of Philippine Patriots clinched the Best ABL Import Player award while his team-mate Warren Ybanez took the ABL Final’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.

Attaporn Lertmalaiporn of Thailand Tigers bagged the ABL League MVP. – Bernama

Source: http://thestar.com.my