Brunei Basketball: September 2009

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

The Barracudas: 6’9” international import Mike Pilgrim completes team roster

photo above: Mike Pilgrim of LSU-Shreveport arrived yesterday and joined immediately the team’s 3-hour morning practice.

Mike’s addition to the team provides more inside presence together with Lonnie Jones. He is a versatile big man, strong on the inside with an outside touch. Plays the small and power forward position (SF/PF). He stands 6 foot and 9 inches tall. If you remember last time during the early ‘90s, He plays like the bigger version of Glenn Robinson (Purdue University and then drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks 1st overall). Both wore the same jersey number #13. What a coincidence isn’t it?
This 245-lb import average an impressive 14.0 points per-game, 7.6 rebounds per-game, 2.1 blocks per-game in 21.3 minutes a game. Pilgrim also received the 2009 Louisiana Newcomer of the Year award by the LOUISIANA SPORTS WRITERS ASSICIATION.

source: Clostradamus

Also tomorrow (Wednesday), at 7pm there will be a FBA meeting in Batu Bersurat indoor court, this is to collect the entry forms, brief and explain all participants the rules and to finalize everything for the upcoming FBA basketball cup. Be there!

ABL: GE title sponsor for 2009/10 season

SEPTEMBER 28, 2009 KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Dato’ Tony Fernandes, Chairman of the ASEAN Basketball League, announced GE as the ABL title sponsor for the 2009/10 season during a press conference held today at Hotel Maya Kuala Lumpur.
ABL and GE (photo above: Mr. Jeffrey Immelt & Dato Tony Fernandes)

The event was also graced by Jeffrey Immelt - Chairman & CEO of GE, Nani Beccali Falco - President & CEO of GE International, Stuart Dean - President & CEO of GE ASEAN, Dato Farid – CEO of TV3, Dato Yeoh Choo Hock – Secretary General of FIBA Asia, Datuk Wira Daim & Ruben Ganalingam - owners of KL Dragons.

Dato’ Tony Fernandes said: “We are happy to welcome GE to the ABL. Their support and partnership will be a great boost, especially for ABL’s junior development programme which is vital for the growth of basketball in the ASEAN region”.

The league, which will be played between October 2009 and February 2010, will initially be made up of 6 teams which are owned and operated by private owners, and will compete in a home and away league format, with knockout stages leading up to the finals. Besides the professional league, ABL will also be involved in junior development programs for children aged 17 and below. This is to widen and uncover more local talents as well as sustain the league in the long run. Read More...

Source & Photo: ABL

Will ABL inspire Brunei youth?

Melvin Jong

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

WHILE local basketball fans are uncertain on how the Brunei Barracudas will perform in the Asean Basketball League (ABL), they are anxious about how the first professional league in the region will help promote the sport among Brunei's youth.

"I am really looking forward to the start of the ABL season. I think this is a really good thing for Brunei," said James, a Form Five student currently studying in a private school.

Having played the game for a little over six years, he said that Brunei's participation in the ABL will help local players, particularly the younger generation, become more interested and serious when playing basketball.

"We can compare the standard in Brunei with the neighbouring countries. We can see what are the differences between them and us and this can help motivate us and improve our skills," he said.

photo by BT/Yee Chun Leong

"It will also help to draw new players into the game. Also players taking part in the league will be able to help train the rest of us when we play together," added James who previously had been a big fan of the Singapore Slingers.

When asked how does he think the team will perform, James replied that he wasn't really optimistic of the results the team could achieve.

"It is the first time we are taking part in such a tournament so I don't think we are ready to compete at the top level yet but I am sure we will improve as the season continues," he said.

The same was said by a Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) student who opted for anonymity.

"I don't know how well the team will perform but I am hoping for the best," said the 21-year-old who started playing basketball some eight years ago.

"Brunei has been hosting a lot of regional tournaments like the 'Pepsi Cup' but we do not really know how good is our standard compared to our neighbouring countries," he added. Read More...

Courtesy of The Brunei Times

Now Tony brings in GE money for Asean Basketball League

Lee Wei Lian

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 28 — Datuk Seri Tony Fernandes, chairman of the Asean Basketball League (ABL), announced today US multinational GE as the ABL title sponsor for the 2009/10 season.
He denied speculation however that GE is coming on boLee Wei Lianard as a sponsor for his Lotus F1 team.

“I have not talked to GE about F1 and I don’t think we will,” he said at a press conference.

“GE was the one who believed in us and took a leap of faith when we started Air Asia and no banker would even serve us coffee,” said Fernandes, who is co-founder of Air Asia.

GE had leased the first two planes to Air Asia, which now has over eighty planes.
The ABL is the first international basketball league in South East Asia launched in January this year.

“GE is a great believer in Tony and his leadership. We invest in people and vision,” said Chairman and CEO of GE Jeffrey Immelt.
He said that the ABL would be a good fit for its Healthymagination initiative which aims to deliver health care at lower cost globally. Read More...

Courtesy of themalaysianinsider.com

Six Teams To Feature In Inaugural ABL

KUALA LUMPUR, 28 Sept (Bernama) -- Professional teams from six countries would feature in the inaugural ASEAN Basketball League (ABL) to be held from October to February.

The six teams comprise KL Dragons from Malaysia, Brunei Barracudas (Brunei), Satria Muda Britama (Indonesia), Philippine Patriots (Philippines), Singapore Slingers (Singapore) and Thailand Tigers from Thailand.

Organisers announced today that the opening match between Indonesia's Satria Muda BritAma and the Philippine Patriots would be played in Jakarta on Oct 10.

"For a start, six teams will kick of the ABL, but we are targeting for 20 teams to compete in a few years time.

"Though the number of teams participating in small, we have decided to go ahead and start the league instead of just waiting for other teams to register," said ABL chairman Datuk Seri Tony Fernandes after announcing General Electrics as one of the sponsors for the ABL, here Monday.

Tony said though teams from outside Asean, like Japan and Australia had also expressed interest in the ABL, the target of the ABL was to see all Asean countries being represented in the tournament. Read More...

Courtesy of www.bernama.com

Barracudas Bare Teeth In Friendly

James Kon
26 September 2009

Bandar Seri Begawan - The newly formed Brunei's Barracudas team showed they are the country's new basketball powerhouse after sweeping away Brunei Pepsi cup finalist's Linktech team in a tune up friendly played last night.
The one-sided match up was already over in the third quarter when the all-Filipino Linktech trailed Barracudas 42-100, and the scorekeeper stopped keeping track.
The win was especially sweet for Barracudas player Leonidez Avenido, who celebrated his birthday yesterday.
The Barracudas combined with the Liga Bumiputra basketball team.
Head coach Bong of Barracudas said "to gauge the team's execution of plays, tonight we played our first tune-up game against Linktech.
"We have been practicing with six or seven players and only today we have all 12 players for training. I am trying out different players in various executions of offence and defence during tonight match to look at my rotation of players.
"There is still room for improvement. As long as the players give me 40 per cent for the matches, it will be enough. I don't expect 110 per cent because there is no one in any basketball team who can do that." Read More...

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

Monday, September 21, 2009

The Barracudas: Pre-Season Practice

September 21, 2009
(photo above: 6’11” or 7’0” block-shot specialist Lonnie Jones joined the team morning practice today. The Barracudas is still waiting for the other international import to complete their roster.)

September 19, 2009

(photo above: Coach Bong Ramos with Assistant Coach Wong run a few plays on the white board for the team.)

Last night's practice session lasted only an hour since the team had a practice in the morning of that day. This time, drills on motion offense was discussed. Also players from team Bumi Putera which is mainly composed of local Malays were invited to participate. According to their manager who is present that night as well, that it's good for his players to joined such practice session to develop and enhance their skills under the supervision of a professional coach.

photo by: wira.pori@bruneibasketball.com | more photos in our fan page here. Become a fan!

September 16, 2009

(photo above: Coach Bong Ramos preaches the basics on defense to the players, as Assistant Coach Wong looks on.)

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN – The Barracudas had their first practice session at the BBA indoor gym last night for two hours (7-9pm). Led by Coach Bong Ramos and Asst. Coach Wong. All local players with the replacements and Asean imports came out to attend. The team is still waiting for the arrival of their 2 international imports, which is expected to be here by next week. Towers of 6’11 and 6’9.

Starting his first season as the Barracudas' Head Coach, Bong greeted the very young local team and the Asean imports with series of conditioning drills from his arsenal to keep them in shape before the season kicks off. Then followed with the drills on defense. He keep yelling, “Forced them to the baseline!”, and “Challenge every shot!” to his players. He understands the game. His philosophy is towards on defense and he said.

”Defense is more important than offense, Everyone can play offense. But not all can play defense.”

The team will continue their practice at home until their away-game against the Singapore Slingers on the 11th of October.

In other basketball news, Coach Kevin Antoine Reece was appointed 3 days ago as the National Coach to Brunei Darussalam. He will be assisting the Brunei Basketball Association (BBA) and the Sports Government Body in developing basketball from it’s grassroots. Related post here.

Sunday, September 20, 2009

The Barracudas: 7'0" international import Lonnie Jones has arrived.

Full Name: Lonnie P. Jones
Position: Center
College: Ball State
Height: 7-0
Weight: 228 lbs.
High School: Wallace HS (Gary, Ind.)
Birthdate: November 8, 1979
Birthplace: Gary, Ind.

HIGHLIGHTS

Established Mid-American Conference and Ball State career blocked shots records with 301 rejections.

Finished senior season 21st in nation in blocked shots (2.6 bpg).

Total of 89 blocks set new school single-season record.

Started 51 of final 53 games of his career.

Ranks eighth in school history in career rebounds.

Owns Ball State’s first-, third-, fourth- and fifth-best single-season block totals.

Averaged 2.5 rejections for his career.

At the 2002 Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, averaged 9.5 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.5 blocked shots.

AT BALL STATE

Missed only one game of senior season (Central Michigan, sore knee).

Topped team in blocks and was second in rebounding (5.4 rpg) and fourth in scoring.

Also led conference in blocks and defensive rebounds (116, 3.4 drpg).

Rejected four or more shots in 12 different games.

Tied career-high with seven blocks against Buffalo.

Posted double-double against Indiana, scoring 10 points and hauling in 11 rebounds to go with two blocks.

Scored season-high 15 points vs. IPFW.

As a junior, averaged 25.8 minutes while starting the final 18 games of the season.

Scored in double figures 14 times and reached double digits in rebounding six times.

Recorded three double-doubles.

Notched three or more blocks 13 times.

Scored career-high 23 points against Marshall.

As a sophomore, was named MAC Defensive Player of the Week two times.

Topped team in blocks and field goal percentage and paced MAC in blocked shots while ranking 14th in rebounding (6.1 rpg) and 14th in defensive rebounding (128, 4.1 drpg).

Led team or tied for team lead in rebounding seven times.

Tallied at least four blocks 10 times.

Rejected career-high-tying seven shots against both Western Michigan and Miami University (MAC Tournament Championship Game).

Scored season-high 18 points against Western Michigan in regular season finale.

Averaged 14.5 minutes as a freshman.

Led team and MAC in blocked shots.

Posted his first career double-double against Buffalo with 11 points and 11 rebounds.

Had six games with four or more blocks, eight games with three or more rejections, 16 with two or more and 20 with at least one.

Upped rebounding during league games to 5.1 rpg, compared to 4.3 rpg overall.

Source: NBA.com

Kuala Belait Under-23 basketball next month

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Sunday, September 20, 2009

THE Kuala Belait Basketball Association will stage the annual Under-23 basketball tournament next month at the Kg Baru basketball court in Seria.

The tournament, which is open to players with valid Brunei identity card, is slated will start on October 11.

Wong Ming Ching, the chairman of the organising committee, said they are expecting at least six teams to register for the tournament which will follow a round-robin format. Should there be more teams participating, the organisers will follow the group format.

Iinterested parties may send their entry forms together with registration fee of $200 to the organising committee on or before October 7. More information can be obtained from Wong at 3228686 or 8758873, Michael Kheng at 8806662 and Liew Tze Sing at 8726383.

The Belait District is active in basketball, having hosted the Under-16, Under-18 and Under-21 tournaments over the past two months.

The three tournaments were organised by the Brunei Youth Basketball Championship. SKS Wood won the Under 16, Summerstars topped the Under-18 and Easyway ruled the Under-21. (YCL04)

Courtesy of The Brunei Times

Barracudas need to improve, says Filipino coach

Yee Chun Leong

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Sunday, September 20, 2009

THE Barracudas will kick off their campaign in the ASEAN Basketball League next month and head coach Bong Ramos needs to double up his effort to make sure that they win against Singapore Slingers, the 2008 Brunei Cup champions.

Ramos, a seasoned coach from the Philippines, arrived here last Wednesday and started to work the next day.

"There are a lot of things to work on the team especially for the locals," said the 48-year-old Ramos after holding his first training session with the team at the Brunei Basketball Association court in Batu Bersurat.

"When I have to pull out the imports, I definitely will have to rely on the locals. I expect the locals to be involved on defence. I can't force them to give me points," explained Ramos.

"We started out on defence and I saw that's one area we have to improve," added Ramos, who brought with him Filipino players Francis Adriano, Celedon Camaso and Leo Avenido, who are joining the Barracudas as imports. Read More...

Courtesy of The Brunei Times

Friday, September 18, 2009

The Teams: Asean Basketball League

ABL Teams

Team Owner: Westport & Partners

Team Name: KL Dragons (Malaysia)

Coach: Goh Cheng Huat

Stadium: MABA Stadium

Stadium Capacity: 2500

Team Website: Coming Soon

Team Owner: Mahaka Foundation

Team Name: Satria Muda BritAma (Indonesia)

Coach: Fictor Gideon Roring

Stadium: The BritAma Arena

Stadium Capacity: 4000

Team Website: www.satria-muda.com

Team Owner:

Everwide SC

Team Name: The Barracudas (Brunei)

Coach: Geraldo "Bong" Ramos

Stadium: Brunei Indoor Stadium

Stadium Capacity: 5500

Team Website: Coming Soon

Team Owner: Dr Mikee Romero & Mr Tony Cojuangco

Team Name: Philippine Patriots (Philippines)

Coach: Francisco Luis Alas

Stadium: Ynares Sports Arena

Stadium Capacity: 3000

Team Website: Coming Soon

Team Owner: Basketball Enterprises Pte Ltd

Team Name: Singapore Slingers (Singapore)

Coach: Frank Arsego

Stadium: Singapore Indoor Stadium

Stadium Capacity: 10,800

Team Website: www.singaporeslingers.com

Team Owner: Mr Wim Reijnen & Mr. Yut Wanichanond

Team Name: Thailand Tigers (Thailand)

Coach: Coming Soon

Stadium: Nimibutr National Stadium

Stadium Capacity: 6,051

Team Website: www.tigersthailand.com (coming soon)

Source: www.aseanbasketballleague.com

Esmond:Brunei's top cager

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Friday, September 18, 2009

ESMOND TAN won't be team captain of the Brunei national basketball team for nothing. Considered as the Sultanate's best player because of his brilliant plays, he talks about the sport he loves in an exclusive interview with Brunei Times reporter YEE CHUN LEONG.

Q: I'm sure you are aware of the ASEAN Basketball League (ABL). What are your thoughts about the ABL?

A: I thought it wouldn't happen. But it's happening which is good. This is going to give more exposure for the players towards professionalism. The last time we actually participated in something of this capacity was the Rimula Shell basketball tournament but it is still not enough participation for us.

Q: Are you interested to join the ABL?

A: Of course. I would go for the tryouts when they select the players. The thing is that even if I make it to the team I'll still have to consider my work schedule. I don't think I can participate unless they can arrange a schedule for me and probably have special training to fit my work commitments.

Q: What do you think about bagging third place in the 2009 Brunei Pepsi Cup? Do you think it was a fair result?

A: Nothing can be changed now that we got third place. There's no one to blame but I thought that we could have done better.

Q: Your coach, Tony Tan, however, mentioned that even if your team, Yuan Tong Enterprise, had beaten Linktech in the classic overtime match in the semi-finals, you all wouldn't be able to go all the way in the competition. Do you agree with him? Read More…

Courtesy of The Brunei Times

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Up, up and away with Leones

(photo above: Yee Chun Leong of The Brunei Times got his GV Leones photo autographed by his idol during an interview.)

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Q: Tell me something about yourself. I'm sure basketball fans in Brunei are keen to know Leones the man too not just the basketball player who thrills them during matches.

A: Well let me see, (smiles and pauses for effect) Geve Leones is a 29-year-old man who hails from Cebu in the Philippines. Standing at 6ft 1in, he has been in Brunei since 2004 where he is working for Daikyo Industrial Gases.

Q: When did you start playing basketball?

A: I started out about a decade ago when I was 19 years old. It all began with a training session for my village, Compostela, as we were playing in the 'Barangay' competition.

Q: What is your most memorable achievement in basketball in Brunei?

A: It was back in 2007 when I won the Most Valuable Player award in the 2007 Pepsi Cup while playing for Linktech.

Another memorable achievement was when I represented Brunei in the China-ASEAN CBO Male Basketball Invitational Games where we finished fifth.

Q: How was it like playing in China?

A: I would say that it was almost the same. But it can be seen that there are definitely better players outside (the Sultanate).

Q: What do you think about finishing second in the 2009 Pepsi Cup (Leones's team Linktech had to settle for runners-up slot after losing 79-94 to Babes Boutique in the Aug 23 final)?

A: We could have made it three in a row for the tournament. But then we lost (the final) due to a lack of stamina after a difficult game against YTE in the semi-finals. Read More…

Courtesy of The Brunei Times