Despite detours, Pilgrim living professional dream

Jayson Ameer Rasheed
Cincinnati Sports Examiner

Webster's Dictionary defines perseverance as "to persist in a state, enterprise, or undertaking in spite of counterinfluences, opposition, or discouragement." Mike Pilgrim personifies perseverance and its finally starting to pay off for the former Cincinnati prep star.

The 6-8 forward attended two high schools (Walnut Hills, Purcell Marian), a prep school (Brewster Academy) and three colleges (Cincinnati, Seton Hall, Arkansas-Monticello) before landing at Louisiana State University-Shreveport last season. In his only season with the Pilots, he was third on the team with 13.5 points per game and second with 7.55 boards. Despite becoming eligible at the semester break, Pilgrim led LSUS with six double-doubles.

With the help of sports agent Richard Katz, Pilgrim has landed in Brunei, Asia. Yes, that Richard Katz, the agent for former UC head coach Bob Huggins.

He plays for the Brunei Barracudas in the inaugural season of the Asean Basketball League. In four games for the 1-3 Barracudas, Pilgrim is second on the team with 16.5 points per game and third with 6.5 boards. While he is shooting a respectable 50 percent from the field, he is struggling mightily on his free throws. Pilgrim is shooting a paltry 40.9 percent (9-of-22) from the charity stripe.

Part of the difficulties could be his physical condition.

"My weakness right now, and has always been, just getting in great physical shape," Pilgrim said. "Right now I am at 65 percent seriously. Even with all the great things I am doing over here, I am at 65 percent. Once I am able to get to 100% like my coach, Bong Ramos, says it will be hard to stop me."

With all of the detours, speed bumps and naysayers, Pilgrim is taking playing halfway across the world in stride. Read More...

Source: Examiner.com

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2009 BSRC 3on3 Basketball Tournament

Jeremy Chong

Panaga Club Multi Purpose Hall
November 1, 2009

PANAGA, SERIA -- The 3on3 tournament held at the Panaga Club MPH organised by the BSRC Basketball Committee was participated by the 7 following teams:

DE’LIGHTZ Coffeeshop, SPADE, TEAM WAYNE, SHINE, FRESHMEN, P.I. (PLAYERS’ INTERNATIONAL) and OXYGEN VOON. 
 
 
It was a tournament that marked by hardwork, determination, heavy perspiration, skills (Brunei AND1 standard :D), accurate shooting and most importantly, fun. After completing the Round Robin and couple of elimination games, it was team FRESHMEN who emerged victorious in the championship game beating team SHINE in the finals. Team FRESHMEN consisted of Yap Chun Ping, Kevin Tay, Heng Lee and co. whereas Team SHINE had Jong Guo Zhang, Ah ‘Chung’, Simon Kok, Tan Pheng Seng, ZuGow, Liang Wei and co. in their 7 a side team. In the third place playoff, team WAYNE secured the 3rd spot by beating DE’ LIGHTZ Coffeeshop.
Every team had their unique way of playing their basketball. Some had height (post plays), others dribbled, penetrated and shot well. In the end it was the team that had those 4 aspects that bagged the championship title.

The tournament was well organised and synchronised with minimal interruptions and delays. I reckon it’s definitely a tournament with its future prospects looking quite bright attracting more teams of different nationalities from the Sultanate. To make the tournament more interesting, there was also a 3 point shooting contest. Victor from P.I put on his shooting gloves from beyond the arc and claimed the 3 point shooter title.

The aim of the tournament was to promote basketball and to have fun. I believe everyone went home thoroughly enjoying the day they had and made a few new friends along the way or even catching up with friends whom we have lost contact with. I know I definitely did.

P.S. Pictures of the tournament will be posted once bruneibasketball.com has received them from tournament organizers. If you happen to have a few snaps and would like them posted on bruneibasketball.com, please email them to info@bruneibasketball.com.

Special thanks to Dorothea for the photos! More photos on our Facebook fan page, Become a fan!

The BSRC Basketball Section:
Tournament Director: Simon Kok
Assistant Tournament Director: Tan Pheng Seng
Captain: Arnel Aldovino
D. Captain: Dorothea William Bungsu
Secretary: Norrainywarti Hujan
Treasurer: Luis Porciuncula 
Public Relation Officer: Loo Yau Wai
Event Manager: Tia Siew Horng (
Executive Committee:
Liew Tho Tharn
Phillip Chan

‘I've missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed’ – The man himself, Michael Jordan.

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Poll: Basketball Clinic in Brunei Darussalam?

What do you guys think of having a basketball clinic or camp to develop our youth in Brunei Darussalam? Probably during summer or school holidays.

This creates an opportunity for basketball fans to participate and learn the concepts of basketball. The clinic focuses on helping our young athletes improve their skills and develop their overall basketball games by teaching basic practice drills and emphasizing the fundamentals. There’s a poll created on the right sidebar.

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Warriors go down fighting to Palm Cafe

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Monday, November 2, 2009

PALM CAFE survived a Warriors attack 111-96 in Group A of the seven stars category of the LBC Cup at the Brunei Basketball Association court in Batu Bersurat yesterday.

Five players were in double figures for Palm Cafe with Geve Leones topscoring with 23 points while Danny Felicilda poured in 21.

Jeff Paraiso had a game-high 33 points for the Warriors and Jerold Pascua poured in 27.

Both teams were equally matched in the opening period but one of the favourites, Palm Cafe, managed to edge ahead taking a 23-16 lead going into the second quarter.

Aries Castro, who finished with 18 points, was putting on a shooting clinic in the second period to keep his team in the lead midway through the quarter. Read More…

photo above: Young Once’s Ernie Garcia (11) goes for a rebound while Ambassador Yano (16) looks on during yesterdays match against IMD B of the above 45 category.

In the 45 years old and above category, Young Once defeated IMD B 71-50. Ernie Garcia top-scored with 33pts and followed by 16pts of Ambassador Yano while Willie Sandoval led IMD B for 22pts.  

Source: The Brunei Times

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The Beavers knock off The Aboriginals

Rahmat sprains ankle, Vincent Superio drops 31 to lift Beaver Engineering past Liga Bumiputira, 75-65. 

GADONG, BSB –

Beaver Engineering defeated Liga Bumiputira at the LBC Cup in Batu Bersurat last night. 

While a sprained ankle and other injuries foiled the aboriginals first win, Liga Bumiputira’s Head Coach Sofyan was still positive for the upcoming matches.

“I didn’t expect the game to be this close since most of my key players are not available due to work and to their personal commitments, I’m just proud of our team,” Sofyan said. “Without Mizi, Zul and Ikram we manage to give our opponents a scare,” He added.

Beaver Engineering led 49-43 at halftime. The game was pretty close until late in the final period when some of his players suffered minor injuries. The coach has no other options but to rest them.

“I have to pull them out of the court and focus in our next games,”  Sofyan said. “I can’t jeopardize or put more risk to my players for this.”

Rahmat Hj Suhali who is a reserve of the Barracudas scored 17 points before leaving the game from an ankle injury. Awg Hj Rambili added 12. Vincent Superio led Beaver Engineering with 31 points.

Main game results between ABMS and Warriors will be posted later.

Happy Halloween Everyone!

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