Barracudas continue to sharpen fangs

Jason Thomas

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Will play friendly against a PBA team in the Philippines

OZELL Wells is tired of being asked whether the Brunei Barracudas are prepared.

Leaving for the Philippines yesterday to start their campaign in the second season of the AirAsia Asean Basketball League (ABL), the team's head coach insisted that all the training in the world won't guarantee success.

"I keep getting asked is the team prepared enough. You can practice for a year and still lose your first 15 games - it doesn't mean you were not adequately prepared," said Wells at the Brunei International Airport in Berakas yesterday.

"Basketball is a game of mistakes.

"I had a friend that trained for a year to get into the NBA but a week before his trials he injured his ankle and he played like garbage — that doesn't mean he wasn't prepared," he added.

With just over two weeks to get ready, the Barracudas kick off their campaign against defending champions Philippine Patriots on Sunday at the Ynares Sports Arena in the Philippines — but play a friendly tomorrow against one of the teams from the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

It will be their only pre-season game, a stark contrast to their five rivals.

Despite this fact and the lack of preparation, Wells is happy with the early signs.

"(This is a) great starting point and it's good that we're all on the same page," said the American of the team's chemistry.

"There have been runs on the beach and two to three hours practice sessions and there haven't been any complaints. Read More…

Source: The Brunei Times