Will Tigers roar or will Servants be the ones standing tall?

Yee Chun Leong
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Friday, April 12, 2013

 

IT is the battle for supremacy in the final of the Filipino Basketball Association (FBA) Officers Cup.

The YTE Tigers are seeking revenge against the Servants today at the Brunei Basketball Association court in Batu Bersurat.

Both teams met in the final of the FBA Commissioners Cup in January with the Servants finishing on the winning end.

However, changes have been made to the Tigers squad with the inclusion of Mark Porlahe, Darren Chai and Ronnel Sugnan into the lineup.

Their big men Eric Palanca and Kel Hung spearhead the team and they are surrounded by three-point shooters Loo Zhi Onn, Tung Yee Keong and Sheldon Sulaik.

The Tigers are labelled the favourites to lift the cup today after overcoming the TRC Hawks (Red) 88-84 in the semi-finals on Wednesday.

Porlahe and Palanca did pick up muscle cramps late in the encounter but are deemed match fit.

"Palanca and I should be okay to play tomorrow (Friday) but not at 100 per cent. But we will still do our best to help the team. We hope the rest of the players will be able to step up for the occasion," said Porlahe in an interview with The Brunei Times yesterday.

"We have to stop Lance (Ingco) from executing. We must try to sustain that throughout the whole match," he said.

"We also cannot underestimate the efforts of their local players (brother Hj Md Rahmat and Hj Md Badri Hj Suhaili). Read More…

Source: The Brunei Times

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Cosmopolitan are UBD Cup champs

Syarif Rasani
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Friday, April 12, 2013

 

COSMOPOLITAN College of Commerce and Technology will go down in history as the first team to dethrone Universiti Brunei Darussalam's (UBD) 'A' in the UBD Cup.

Cosmopolitan put an end to UBD 'A's five-year reign as champions of the annual basketball competition with an intensive and nail biting 77-74 win in the final yesterday.

The hosts had never lost a game in the six-year span prior to yesterday's loss.

National forward Lim Liang Wei was responsible for what many would consider an upset.

He single-handedly outplayed the entire UBD 'A' team in the third quarter, scoring 18 of the team's 21 points in the stanza to cut an eight-point (47-39) deficit to just two (62-60) entering the final period.

"It was all the team work we had in the third quarter... when our communication picked up," said Lim, who finished the game with 52 points to his name. Read More…

Source: The Brunei Times

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Ben Sim, leading referee candidate

Yee Chun Leong
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Monday, April 8, 2013

JAPANESE Basketball Federation Director of Referees Department has identified national captain Ben Sim as a potential candidate to become a FIBA (International Basketball Association) referee.

Nobuo Hashimoto yesterday concluded a two-day Brunei Basketball Association (BBA) Referees Clinic at the BBA court in Batu Bersurat for 16 participants seven local all of whom met the grade.

Those who participated underwent an English written test, a practical test and a beep test, which is a gauge of cardiovascular fitness.

Hashimoto, though, was only impressed with Sim.

This was the second time that Sim has shone at such an event after topping the 52 participants at the FIBA Asia National Referee Clinic which Brunei hosted in 2011.

"This is an improvement clinic and I found that one Bruneian, Ben, has very good potential to become a referee," said Hashimoto in an interview with The Brunei Times yesterday.

"He still requires a lot of on-court officiating for now (and) he can probably become a national referee in the next two or three years.

"But as for now, he should continue to play basketball at the highest level.  Read More…

 

Source: The Brunei Times

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2013 Brunei Referees Clinic

Mr Nobuo Hashimoto (L), Director of Referees of the Japanese Basketball Association, being paid a courtesy call by Brunei National Head Coach, Kevin Antoine Reece.

Mr Nobuo will be the course lecturer for the Brunei Referees Clinic 2013 and he will assess the current referees if they are up to FIBA standards.

Any interested parties can join as either participants or observers for the clinic on 6 and 7 April 2013 @ BBA.

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The Finals: KFC Fitness Zone 3-on-3 Streetball Challenge

Group photo finale with the organizers, players, event managers, sponsors, guests, etc.


The Ladies with our Royal Princess Fadzilah played for her team Ivy Ballers A.

Open Category
Champion Score - Ambaphil
1st Runner Up Score - KFC Double Down
2nd Runner Up Score - Uni Decor Coating
3rd Runner Up Score - Davis Lighting

Students Category
Champion Score – Sharks B
1st Runner Up Score - Spartans
2nd Runner Up Score – Sharks A
3rd Runner Up Score – Sharks C
Ladies Category
Champion Score - Ivy Ballers B
1st Runner Up Score - Hemaviton Hu Huang
2nd Runner Up Score - Ivy Ballers A
3rd Runner Up Score - AL Professional

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KFC Fitness Zone 3 On 3 Streetball Challenge 2013

Dear Basketball Fans,

We are pleased to announce that the much anticipated First Major 3 On 3 Streetball Challenge, is back for the 2nd year in Brunei Darussalam.

Organized by Fitness Zone and KFC, and managed by Good Game & Trinity Advertising, it will be again another exciting event for the entire Brunei community as the competition is going to showcase more variety of talents and skills, bringing out the best of Brunei in the Sports industry.

The 1st year (2012) of the challenge was met with a considerable success with an average of 40 teams participating during each quarter season. This year, we have plans to make our games bigger and more successful by having other sub activities alongside with our challenge which complements our challenge.

For the 1st quarter 2013, 22ndMarch 2013 – 31st March 2013 (10 days) in Airport Mall, we will bring to you the following:

1. KFC FITNESS ZONE 3 ON 3 STREETBALL CHALLENGE
2. KFC FITNESS ZONE ULTIMATE GAMING TOURNAMENT

This comprehensive 3 on 3 Streetball Challenge is aimed to promote the following:

1. A Well Being Lifestyle Through Sports:
With basketball as a sport, we want to encourage the nation, especially the future generations to adapt a healthy lifestyle by being more passionate about sports.

2. Developing Talents:
Another main purpose is to bring up the skill level and talents of the country to the international level.

3. Corporate Social Responsibility
KFC and Fitness Zone both believes in giving back to the community and with that, this event, without exception, gives us a chance to help out the less fortunate of the nation. A determined percentage of proceeds generated from the event will be given to charitable organizations such as PUSAT EHSAN AL HJH MARYAM, SMARTER and KACA to name a few. With that, part of your contribution to the event will also be used to make a difference for them.

Please support this worthy cause, Please support basketball! Enjoy and have fun :)

More updates and photos in our Facebook fanpage here.

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KFC/FITNESS ZONE 3ON3 Street Basketball Challenge 2013 Registration Opening & Yayasan School Visit

The KFC Fitness Zone’s Hopes In The Hoop (H.I.T. Hoop Teams) made another school visit, this time to Sekolah Menengah Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah School, yesterday at 22^nd February 2013.

 
(please click photo to enlarge)

The visit was greeted by 100 audience comprising of students and teachers. A welcoming note was given by the school’s principal, Hajah Mariam Haji Ladi, which followed immediately by the singing of the National Anthem lead by the H.I.T. Hoop Teams, in conjunction with the celebration of Brunei’s 29^th National Day the next day. “Imagine that one day, we will be able to hear our national anthem being played and see our flag being raised during Olympics because we won a gold medal competing in the 3 On 3 Basketball event” remarked Jonathan Bong, Senior Marketing Manager, KFC B Sdn Bhd.

(please click photo to enlarge)

During the visit, it was also shared that registration for the KFC Fitness Zone 3 On 3 Streetball Challenge for Season 1 (24^th March – 31^st March 2013) is now opened, playing at Airport Mall and registration forms are available at all Fitness Zone’s outlets and the following KFC outlets: KFC Gadong Central, KFC Airport Mall, KFC The Mall and KFC Seria. Participating teams will all receive limited edition jerseys which must be worn at all time during the tournament.
 
Although the closing date for registration is 10^th March 2013, the organizers hope that teams can register earlier than that so that in case there are more teams than expected joining the tournament, there will still be ample time to make extra jerseys to avoid disappointment. Competing teams will find this year’s tournament more value for money as beside being limited edition, the official KFC Fitness Zone 3 On 3 Streetball Challenge jerseys are also both dry fit and reversible.  

(please click photo to enlarge)

Also joining the visit to Sekolah Menengah Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah School yesterday is International Artiste, Wu Chun who just flown back to Brunei the night before. Wu Chun has just came back from Houston, USA where he went to watch the NBA All Star basketball game along with a group of Taiwan Artiste such as Blackie, Wilbur Pan and S.H.E.’s Selina to name a few. “It was a good experience for me as we want to bring some of the things that I saw at the NBA into our own 3 On 3 basketball tournament” says Wu Chun. “Last year, when we organized the first basketball tournament inside a shopping mall, we have players telling us that they love our tournament because it’s different and they like the surreal feeling of playing in the NBA because it makes them feel like a real pro” added Jonathan.

Stay tuned for more updates!

Registration forms can be downloaded below. (click images to enlarge.)
   

More photos can be found in our facebook fanpage here.

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'Hopes in the Hoop' programme tips off

Yee Chun Leong
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Continued on Page A40

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

THERE is simply no time to waste.

Having renewed their partnership on Friday, KFC and Fitness Zone went right to work with the 'Hopes in the Hoop' programme yesterday.

They went to the Meragang Sixth Form Centre to kick start their school tour to promote the KFC Fitness Zone 3-on-3 Basketball Challenge.

A talk was delivered and a clinic conducted with the attendance of some 300 students and teachers at the event.

The clinic was held by the duo of ex-PBA (Philippine Basketball Association) players and Jacky Yong Kui Seng.

Jonathan Bong, Senior Marketing manager of KFC, is looking at the big picture of the project.

"As part of our roadmap to see a Brunei team play in the 3-on-3 event during the Olympics, we are trying to push for a 3-on-3 interschool basketball tournament to happen in the near future," said Bong.

Wu Chun, managing director of Fitness Zone, was also in attendance and even shared his basketball experience as well as gave tips on the sport via demo.

"For now we are adopting most of FIBA's rules so as to prep the participants, hence our slogan for this year is 'Our Rules, Your Battles, Anyone's Game'," said Wu Chun.

"We are happy to be here today (Tuesday) to promote basketball. We are looking to go to all schools and promote a healthy lifestyle," he added.

"We are under negotiations with several other schools at this time and we are looking to go to some 10 schools within the span of three months," continued Wu Chun. Read More…

Source: The Brunei Times

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Two Bruneians attend FIBA Referees clinic in Singapore

Jason Thomas
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Sunday, January 27, 2013

BRUNEI will no longer be the only Asian country without an International Basketball Association (FIBA) referee after two Bruneians left for Singapore to sit for the FIBA Asia Commissioners and Referees Clinic yesterday.

Brunei Basketball Association (BBA) referees Ong Boon Biau and Ang Ting Hin will be aiming to become internationally recognised referees during the three-day clinic which starts today, and they will be joined by BBA secretary Wira Pori and Khoo Eng Cheong and Ho Poh San, who will be sitting for the commissioners' course.

The referees clinic will be held over the first two days while the commissioners - who are charged with managing tournament committees - will be sitting for the course over the three days.

The delegation's stay in the island-city will also help BBA network with other associations in the region, many of whom are sending representatives as well.

The trip is long overdue considering that other sports - football and sepak takraw to name two - have international referees.

There is no denying that the trip is instigated by the visit of FIBA Sports Director of Sport and Eligibility, Lubomir Kotleba, to Brunei last November - a visit which proved to be an eye-opener to BBA and the local basketball fraternity.

Kotleba questioned why FIBA tournaments were not organised in the Sultanate and admonished the association for not sending the national team to international FIBA tournaments in years. BBA's apparent lack of interest in sourcing for sponsorship and its failure to respond to FIBA letters - such as for the 2010 FIBA Congress, where the Sultanate was the only absentee - was also brought to light. Read More…

Source: The Brunei Times

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BBA: Basketball association holds annual general meeting

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: In a bid to obtain a stable revenue for the Brunei Basketball Association (BBA), the association is hoping to increase its facilities at the BBAs basketball court in Batu Bersurat by building a canteen and a car display box in front of the building to rent out to car dealers in the country, Borneo Bulletin reported.

The many ideas to bring in more revenue for the association were highlighted by Mr Gob Kim Tian, the President of the Brunei Basketball Association during the Annual General Meeting (AGM) yesterday.

In an interview, Mr Gob said, “Next year, we are planning to build a canteen to be leased out to an operator. This will bring a stable income for the association. The canteen will be located beside the basketball building in Batu Bersurat.”

Another source of income, he suggested, “is the renting out of a car display box just in front of the building next to the main road leading toward Batu Bersurat. We are seeking the government’s approval to b,uild such a showcase.

“If it’s approved, this will be another means to generate revenue.”

For basketball players, in the country, the assocation plans “to increase the standard of the basketball court and renovations will be carried out next year”. Read More…

Source: TheBorneoPost.com

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2012 Holiday Season

Wishing Everyone a Safe and a Happy Holiday Season. More photos in our facebook fanpage here.

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Wisdom Jade rule 3-on-3 Challenge

Yee Chun Leong
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Monday, December 3, 2012

WISDOM JADE edged Easyway 17-16 to win the Open category in the fourth and final leg of the KFC Fitness Zone 3-on-3 Basketball Challenge at the Airport Mall in Berakas yesterday.

Jerold Pascua topscored with 12 points for Wisdom Jade while Soon Kian Leong finished with 10 for Easyway.

The four-man Filipino team got off to a hot start, taking a 5-0 lead before Easyway came back behind their hot shooting from the arc.

Wisdom Jade, made up of Elvin Requintin, Ernesto Espique, Jerold Pascua and Edward Mendez, continued to utilise their height and size in the low post to hold on and earn the victory.

It was sweet redemption for Wisdom Jade as they had lost to the same team 17-14 in the quarter-finals.

"We started out shooting really well at the start but we suffered from fatigue after having played much of the competition with only three players that allowed our opponents to come back," said Requintin in an interview with The Brunei Times after the win.

"We had to focus hard on defence and kept going into the low post to score to take the win. We are really satisfied and happy to win the competition," added Requintin, who finished second in the Slam Dunk competition.

On the other hand, Soon is looking at the positives of the outing despite losing the final.

"Overall it is all right and we were here for the experience. It is good for us to improve and we are looking forward to doing better in the next competition," said Soon. Read More…

Source: The Brunei Times

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Basketball clinics to nurture grassroots talent

Yee Chun Leong
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Saturday, December 1, 2012

THE day has finally arrived for Brunei basketball.

The Street Roc Mini-Ball Clinics will be launched tomorrow at the Airport Mall in Berakas.

Organised by Lava Media, the programme is catered for the 7-12-year-old age group. It is a 32-week programme and is structured on the school term so that there will be no conflict.

It has always been a priority for national basketball coach, Kevin Reece (pic), to start from the grassroots and he is expecting a good outcome for the launching set for 2pm.

"I'm expecting a large turnout of at least 30 kids. I think that it is a good number to start with for 7-12 year old because it has never been done before," said Reece in an interview with The Brunei Times yesterday.

"There will be some demonstration and drills to start things off. The programme will work mostly on the basics such as dribbling, passing and shooting," he added.

"There will be 16 weeks of intense drills and fun. After that we will be looking to starting a league for the group with matches and clinics held alternately with the remainder of the programme,"continued the American.

Reece is looking at the bigger picture and is looking to run the mini-ball for three years to see results.

"The main aim is to push grassroots basketball where the group has never been tapped. We want to be ready for the future competitions such as the SEA (Southeast Asian) Games," said Reece. Read More…

Source: The Brunei Times

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2012 FBA Builders Basketball Cup

More photos in our Facebook fanpage here.

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1st I-Nat Amateur Basketball Tournament

More photos in our Facebook fan page here. Check it out later.

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Welflex emerge champions

Jason Thomas
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Sunday, November 25, 2012

WELFLEX were crowned champions of the 1st I-Nat Amateur Basketball Tournament last night after easing to a 101-89 win against TSL Bulldogs in a match they dominated from start to finish with their fluid transition game and organised defence.

After beating the same opponents 103-75 in the group stage, it was probably too much to ask for an upset last night.

Racing to a 13-2 lead in the first few minutes of the championship decider at the Brunei Basketball Association court in Batu Bersurat, Welflex used their size and speed to ensure a healthy advantage and ride out the win.

Welflex import Don Mordeno stole the show with a game-high 25 points and provided key contributions down the stretch. Glen Boongaling added 22 and Ed Mendoza 20.

Bulldogs' imports Geve Leones and Marjomar Aying netted 20 and 19 respectively, with Danilo Felicilda chipping in with 17.

A dominant force every time he steps on to the court, Leones netted 30 points the last time the two teams met and Welflex coach Michael Juan admitted that caging the Bulldogs' top player was their priority.

"We had a good start and the team played well on defence," explained Welflex coach Michael Juan.

"Our plan was to let Geve score but limit the others, and I think it worked.

"We let them score from the outside in the first quarter but we shut them down as the game progressed," said Juan, thanking manager Alfred Goh for his help throughout the tournament. Read More…

Source: The Brunei Times

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National c'ship next year?

Yee Chun Leong
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Continued on Page A35

Sunday, November 11, 2012

BRUNEI basketball fans can expect to see new developments on Brunei basketball in the near future.

FIBA (International Basketball Association) and FIBA Asia are expecting the Brunei Basketball Association (BBA) to organise the national championship starting next year.

FIBA Sports Director of Sport and Eligibility Lubomir Kotleba came to town and raised a number of issues during a general meeting with the BBA committee on Friday.

FIBA and FIBA Asia are hoping that the governing body of basketball in Brunei will be able to take a step forward and raise the standard of the sport in the country.

"The meeting with the BBA was very fruitful and the fact that the BBA participated at the meeting with their 11 top officials speaks for itself," Kotleba told The Brunei Times yesterday.

"FIBA and FIBA Asia now expects regular and reliable contacts with the BBA President and Secretary General," he added.

"The BBA will run, as of next season, the national championship (not ad-hoc tournaments) played regularly over the entire basketball season," continued the Slovakian.

Having a national championship is a step towards preparing for something bigger FIBA international competitions.

Brunei has been absent in international competitions for years.

Their last FIBA competition was the TOA Thailand Open Phuket Championship 2012 in September but that was only on a club level.

FIBA and FIBA Asia hope that the BBA will register its team for the next FIBA Asia Sub-Zone championship. Read More…

 

Source: The Brunei Times

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BBA under FIBA scrutiny

Yee Chun Leong
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Saturday, November 10, 2012

THE Brunei Basketball Association (BBA) will have to clean up their act after years of poor organisation.

FIBA (International Basketball Association) Sports Director of Sport and Eligibility Lubomir Kotleba (pic) was in Brunei and he brought up a number of issues during a general meeting with the BBA committee yesterday.

Kotleba raised questions on why FIBA tournaments were not organised in the Sultanate, adding that the national team have not participanted in any international FIBA tournaments in years.

Their last FIBA competition was the TOA Thailand Open Phuket Championship 2012 in September but that was only on a club level.

Even the issue on funding for the BBA for development was discussed.

It was made known that the BBA only receives funding through the government on an annual basis and not from other sources.

Kotleba felt that the BBA was not doing enough to secure more local sponsorships.

He then revealed that there are seven out of 212 countries without any FIBA referees and Brunei is one of them.

The sports director added that the Sultanate is also the only one without a FIBA certified referee in the whole of Asia. Read More…

Source: The Brunei Times

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KFC's Chicky Oppa Gangnam Style: KFC-Fitness Zone 3on3 Streetball Challenge

KFC's mascot Chicky version of gangnam style during the KFC-Fitness Zone 3on3 Streetball Challenge.

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Meet The Stars: KFC/Fitness Zone 3on3 Tournament

Meet the PBA Stars! Erwin Velez, Christian Calagio and Mark Telan.

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