NBT win opening game against Plaza Sutra Biru

Majomar Aying of NBT goes for a layup against Leslie Chia of Plaza Sutra Biru during last night's game at the BBA court in Batu Bersurat. Picture: BT/ Maui Salazar

Yee Chun Leong

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Sunday, March 28, 2010

BEFITTING the world celebration of Earth Hour today, the opening BBA Open Challenge Trophy game at the Brunei Basketball Association (BBA) court in Batu Bersurat was delayed because of a power shortage.

When proceedings finally got underway, NBT weren't overly fazed by Plaza Sutra Biru on their way to a posting an 80-63 win in the first match in Group A last night.

It was a slow start for the favourites but Majomar Aying shifted gears early to score 20 points in the first half
enroute to a team-high of 22 points. It was his shooting from beyond the arc, connecting on four from downtown that set the tone for his team's 38-29 edge at halftime.

"It's almost like Christmas night. Everything was just falling for me. Maybe I'm just lucky," said Aying.

"I thought that the team played well with great teamwork and good defence. It's good that we managed to keep up with our opponents despite the slow start," added the 23-year-old.

Meanwhile, Geve Leones found the early going much tougher, having an off shooting night. The point guard finished with 18 points, well below his average, as he passed up driving to the hoop while he had a hand in his face most of the night.

"I was taking a chance on shooting as the other team really defended me well. Nothing was going in and I was trying to get my teammates involved," said Leones.

"Overall, I don't think we played (well).Since it's only our first game, the team will get better with time," added Leones.

Esmond Tan, vice-captain of the Barracudas last season, had a game-high 28 and Presley Ho had 18 but it was still not enough. However, Tan felt that it was the team's lack of fitness that sent them crashing to their opening defeat. Read More...

Source: The Brunei Times

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NBT looks to effervescent guard for BBA Challenge Trophy buzz

Geve Leones (R) of MK Kids goes for a layup against Asaff during the semi-final of the Filipino Amateur Basketball (FAB) tournament on March 16.Picture: BT/Yee Chun Leong

Yee Chun Leong
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Saturday, March 27, 2010

NBT will be the team to beat when the Brunei Basketball Association (BBA) Challenge Trophy unfold today at the BBA court in Batu Bersurat.

NBT boast of a enviable lineup composed of Geve Leones, Majomar Aying, Jeff Paraiso (Filipino Amateur Basketball best import), the 6ft 6in Elmer Espiritu and former Philippines Basketball Assocaition player, Erwin Velez.

"We got the line-up ready about a month ago and have been training since then. We're totally ready for the tournament," said NBT coach Raul Dimaano told the The Brunei Times yesterday.

But NBT's first match is not easy one as they will be up against Plaza Sutra Biru, a team from Belait powered by Barracudas' point guard Esmond Tan, considered as the country's best local talent.

The team also have Xavier Leong, Lim Aik Hock and Presley Ho, who all played for the Barracudas last season.

"We're confident that we can win our opening game. We know that our opponents are a strong team but we've got good players as well," said Dimaano. "We're favourites in a way but we know that there is another team from the Belait District (Ilonggo Stingers) who may be the biggest threat (of all)"

Dimaano said that while his team have good offence, his main priority is getting his charges to play good team defence.

"I will say that is the strength of the team along with the combination of Leones and Aying to provide enough firepower at the offensive end," said Dimaano. Read More...

Source: The Brunei Times

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BBA makes the call

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Friday, March 19, 2010

SO YOU think your team can ball?

The Brunei Basketball Association (BBA) is making the final call for all ballers to participate in the upcoming BBA tournament.

To be contested at the BBA court in Batu Bersurat, the competition is slated for March 27 and will be divided into two categories: Open category and the 35 years old and above category.

It is open to all players who hold a valid Brunei identity card.

Interested parties can obtain their registration forms from the BBA court.

Completed registration forms with entry fees of $300 are to be handed in to the organisers on or before the closing date on March 21.

For more information, contact the BBA head organiser, Soon Ching Long, at 8770316 or Ang at 8897449.

"We are expecting five teams to compete in the veterans category and up to as many as 20 teams for the Open category. That's the kind of response we want," said Adam Albert Chu, the local head coach of the national squad.

The last open tournament organised by the BBA was the 2009 Pepsi Cup in August. Babes Boutique emerged the champions after defeating Linktech 94-79 in the final.

Source: The Brunei Times

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B'ball camp for kids

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Friday, March 19, 2010

THE Brunei Basketball Association (BBA) is calling out all school children to join the Run, Jump and Shoot basketball camp over the upcoming 10-day holiday period.

The camp will be split into the 18 years old and below and 10-12 years old divisions. The first session will begin at 10.30am Sunday for the older group at the BBA court in Batu Bersurat.

Remaining sessions will be for Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 3-5pm with the last training run coming on Sunday morning.

The 10-12 years old category will be held on Tuesday and Thursday from 3-5pm.

"There shouldn't be much going on during the school holidays so I would like to have some basketball sessions for the kids," said American Kevin Reece, who is the national basketball coach.

"This is something for them to do and I would like to encourage parents to allow their children to come (do) something productive," Reece added.

The American said children below 10 years old can also join the camp for the 10-12 years old category.

Source: The Brunei Times

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National basketball squad announced

(Left) National coach Kevin Reece. (Above) Benjamin Sim (L) and Yap Chun Ping at a training session on Tuesday night at the Multipurpose Hall of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex in Berakas. Pictures: BT/Yee Chun Leong

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Thursday, March 18, 2010

NATIONAL basketball coach, Kevin Reece, named his squad to represent the Sultanate as part of his plan to change the face of Brunei Basketball.

It was a different line-up compared to previous years, featuring more Malay players - Jamri Ramlee, Shamli Ismail, Muiz Abdul Ghani, Faizuladzmi Tajuddin, together with the trio of brothers Hj Md Rahmat, Hj Md Badri and Hj Md Sabri Hj Suhaili.

Completing the first 12 were Benjamin Sim, Kenny Lim, Yap Chun Ping, Lim Liang Wei and Choo Yung Jian.

The reserves include Jon Lee, Afif Khalidi, Shaharin Ismail and Khoo Chin Kai.

"All the people on the list deserve to be there as they attended training on a regular basis. They have really showed commitment and put their work in," said Reece, in an interview yesterday with The Brunei Times.

"Some people might be surprised to see the list as some of those who have been on the team for the past three or four years are not there. The reason is because they have not attended my (training) sessions," added Reece.

The national coach felt all of the top ballers were given an equal opportunity to prove themselves. However, there are still a couple of talents that the coach is looking forward to seeing in the near future.

"There are some that are still studying abroad and I would like to see them play and try to make it to the squad when they return," said the 49-year-old American.

"The team is full of athleticism and quickness, plus I think it's a taller lineup as far as Brunei is concerned," said the Los Angeles native.

Reece also praised those from the previous national side that have remained for this time around.

"The remaining national players have shown a really good attitude. They have been really helpful in guiding the younger players and have really shown leadership," said Reece.

"They're going to be the ones that I'll have to count on during play," added the LA Lakers fan. Read More...

Source: TBT

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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

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14 teams vie for Streetball honours

Yee Chun Leong

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Saturday, March 6, 2010

THE StreetballBrunei 2010 is set to tip off with more hoops action tomorrow at the Brunei Basketball Association (BBA) court in Batu Bersurat.

A total of 14 teams including two guest teams - Liga
Bumiputera and Team Committee - separated into three groups will battle it out for the top honour in the annual tournament.

Group A comprise of the GILR Wildcats, Forex BTC, Jinks, Pizza Hut and the
all-Malay Liga Bumiputera while Group B are made up of Hope, MK Kids, Iloncondia and Sold.

The other four teams - Hua Ho, Al Sarrah Eagles, Pinoy Resources, Kiarong Tuesday Club (KTC) and Team Committee - make up Group C.

The games will be contested under FIBA (International Basketball Federation) rules but will be played with running time except for the last two minutes of the fourth quarter.

Two (2) points will be awarded for a win and one (1) for a defeat. For two-way or three-way ties after the group stages, the team with the highest winning margin will move on to the next round.

Three games, one from each group, have been scheduled for Sunday with the
teams to be decided during the opening ceremony at 1pm.

According to one of the members of the organising committee, Jake Pacheco, the
tournament started out between a group of friends who play the sport at the Menglait Sports Complex in Gadong a few years back. Read More...

Source: TBT

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