Autoexperts triumph

Jason Thomas

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

AUTOEXPERTS.COM.BN opened their Chung Hwa Middle School (CHMS) Alumni Association 18th Anniversary Basketball campaign on the right note when they beat Aranta Sdn Bhd 52-36 in the Under-18 category last night.

Autoexperts never looked back after racing to an early lead at the Brunei Basketball Association court in Batu Bersurat, though they did run out of steam during times at the second half.

"I am very happy with the win. The team played well in the beginning but weren't as good in the second half," said Autoexperts' manager Walter Liew.

Aranta had a slow start to the game and found themselves down 23-4 with five minutes left to go in the first half.

Their poor shooting and lack of a capable ballhandler hurt their scoring chances but they came back strong as the half ended. Read More…

Source: The Brunei Times

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Chung Hwa basketball tips off today

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Saturday, November 27, 2010

THE wait is finally over for local basketball fans.

The Chung Hwa Middle School (CHMS) Alumni Association 18th Anniversary Basketball tournament will tip off today at the Brunei Basketball Association court in Batu Bersurat.

Both categories to be contested during the competition - Men's Open and Under-18 Boys - have received overwhelming response with 11 teams vying for top honours in the former and 14 teams challenging for the trophy in the latter.

For the Open Category, Group A are made up of Auto Expert, Liga Bumiputera, KB Shine and Strong Eagle. Group B comprise of Kenview, Soon Lee/Easyway 'A', TKT House and Hankook Komala while Ford & Cool Tones, L&H Motors and Soon Lee/Easyway 'B' will battle it out in Group C. Read More…

Source: The Brunei Times

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The Sky is the limit : AirAsia ABL is now up in the air

ABL logo at the front of the plane - Courtesy of Jan Shim

More photos here.

* Photos : Courtesy of Jan Shim - www.shimworld.wordpress.com/

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Kobe Bryant’s Christmas shoe

Posted by Trey Kerby under Los Angeles Lakers, Shoes on Nov 23, 2010

If you were wondering if Kobe Bryant would be wearing a special version of his newest signature shoe — the Nike Zoom Kobe VI — for the Lakers’ Christmas day game against the Miami Heat, then wonder no more. He will be and they’re at least partially inspired by a certain curmudgeonly hermit with a heart two sizes too small.

Yes, that’s right — Kobe Bryant is going to be wearing Grinch shoes for Christmas. Fitting, isn’t it?

Normally, I’m not the biggest fan of neon green shoes because, well, they are neon green shoes. However, if one of the NBA’s best players wants to wear shoes inspired by a Christmas legend on Christmas, then go for it. Cover them in fur like the Jim Carrey remake for all I care. Actually, don’t. The scales are enough and that movie was disappointing.

Source: TheScore

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Sweet revenge as national cagers overrun Miri outfit

Yee Chun Leong

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

IT was sweet redemption for the national basketball team after they defeated Miri Kinsar Team 80-61 in a tune up match where they led all the way on Sunday at the Pei Min Middle School in Miri.

The national cagers were humbled 67-36 by Miri in a do-or-die match at the 12th Borneo City Men's Invitational Tournament 2010 at the Brunei Basketball Association court in Batu Bersurat in August that made them settle for bronze.

Miri Kinsar Team comprised two players from the original August lineup that included three former Malaysia national players and an NBL Bintulu cager.

The match was held in preparations for the upcoming 3rd China-Asean Men's Basketball Invitational tournament to be held from Nov 30-Dec 6 at Pingguo County, Guangxi, China. However, the Sultanate didn't field any of their Filipino imports Geve Leones, Elvin Requintin, Don Mordeno and Marjomar Aying who will also be heading to China. Read More…

Source: The Brunei Times

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Barracudas in Lions' den

Yee Chun Leong

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Monday, November 22, 2010

(Brunei Barracudas' American import Chris Commons (L) had a good game against Indonesian side Satria Muda BritAma on Saturday. The Brunei team are banking on Commons for another good show against the Singapore Slingers tomorrow. Picture: BT/Rudolf Portillo)

THE Brunei Barracudas picked up a vital 75-66 victory over Indonesian side Satria Muda BritAma in their Asean Basketball League (ABL) match on Saturday night at the Indoor Stadium of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex in Berakas and now face another daunting task against the Singapore Slingers.

The Barracudas now hold a 3-6 win-loss record that keeps their hopes of making it into the playoffs alive, but tomorrow's match in Singapore will be a tough outing for the Bruneians have not beaten the Singaporeans in four meetings stretching to last season.

The Slingers are strong at home, holding on for a 3-1 record so far this season, and are currently fourth in the six-team ABL table on 4-4 together with the KL Dragons.

Brunei's first professional basketball team did, however, push the Singapore outfit to the limit in their last meeting on Nov 10 when they lost 81-74 at home after a late spark by former Barracuda player Leo Avenido.

The Filipino will once again be the main hitman for the Slingers and is the ABL's leading outside shooter connecting on 39 of 82 attempts (48 per cent) from three-point territory.

The 6ft 1in shooting guard just notched his season-high of 36 points in an 85-87 double overtime loss to the Philippine Patriots in Singapore last Sunday and he believes that his 'new' team will be able to defend home court tomorrow. Read More…

Source: The Brunei Times

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Barracudas stay alive

Yee Chun Leong

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Sunday, November 21, 2010

THE Brunei Barracudas ended their two-game losing skid at home with a 75-66 victory over Satria Muda BritAma in the Asean Basketball League (ABL) at the Indoor Stadium of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex in Berakas last night.

It was a much needed win that kept the Bruneians' hopes alive in making the playoffs.

The victory also brought their record to 3-6 while Satria Muda remained at the basement with a league-worst 2-7.

Four starters got into double figures for Brunei's first professional basketball team with American import Chris Garnett notching a double-double with 21 points and 23 rebounds including a game-high seven assists while compatriot Chris Commons also scored 21 points and hauled down 10 rebounds for his double-double.

Ramsey Williams added 17 points and Bryan Faundo scored 13 points in the victory.

On the other hand, Marcus Morrison led all scorers with 23 points for Satria Muda while Mario Wuysang and Antoine Broxsie poured in 14 and 13 points respectively to a losing effort.

Both teams got off to slow starts with neither finding the ability to execute well at the offensive end. Read More…

Source: The Brunei Times

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Barracudas be warned!

Yee Chun Leong

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Saturday, November 20, 2010

IT'S payback time!

At least that is the plan for Satria Muda BritAma when they play the Brunei Barracudas today in their Asean Basketball League (ABL) match at the Indoor Stadium of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex in Berakas.

The Barracudas notched up their first victory of the season with an 87-70 win over the Indonesia outfit at the BritAma Arena in Jakarta on Oct 23.

Former Barracudas captain, Francis 'Kiko' Adriano, and forward Don Camaso return to the Sultanate for the first time since joining the Indonesian team at the start of the season and they mean business.

"The goal is to win the game. In our first meeting in October (Antoine) Broxsie was making his debut for Satria Muda, but he has since adjusted to the team and I believe that we will do better," said Adriano, in an interview with The Brunei Times, yesterday.

"We're confident of getting a win but there are no promises. We will just have to go all out and try out best," he added.

On how he felt about returning to Brunei, Adriano said: "I've got mixed emotions. I'm thankful for the opportunity to play for Brunei last season, but now I'm a Satria Muda player." Read More…

Source: The Brunei Times

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Filipinos thumbs up training

Yee Chun Leong

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Friday, November 19, 2010

IT IS a win-win situation that the top Filipino cagers in the country have joined the national team's training sessions.

The foursome of Don Mordeno, Marjomar Aying, Elvin Requintin and Geve Leones have all been included in the line up to compete at the upcoming 3rd China-Asean Men's Basketball Invitational tournament to be held from Nov 30-Dec 6 at Pingguo County, Guangxi, China.

Having trained with the national basketball cagers since mid October, the Filipinos have given a thumbs up to Kevin Reece, the national basketball coach, for his training sessions.

"It's nice as the coach is good to us. The problem is that training is really difficult and we're expected to become faster since the team is short of height," said Mordeno, during an interview with The Brunei Times, recently.

"The coach knows a lot of plays at both ends of the floor but emphasises more on defence. Most importantly, he focuses on teamwork," added the 28-year-old.

Mordeno also felt that he has gained a lot since joining the system that Reece is throwing at him.

"I'm improving on my footwork. But the most that I've gained out of all the workout is the improvement in my stamina," said Mordeno. Read More…

Source: The Brunei Times

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ABL season gears up for second half

Yee Chun Leong

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

THE Asean Basketball League (ABL) has reached the halfway mark of the 15-game sophomore season and things are slowly shaping up towards the playoffs.

It is no surprise that the Philippine Patriots are currently at the helm of the six-team table, holding a 6-1 win-loss record. The dark horses, Thailand Slammers, follow closely in second place with a 5-2 record.

The KL Dragons and Singapore Slingers are deadlocked at 4-4 while the Brunei Barracudas and Indonesia's Satria Muda BritAma share the position at the basement with a 2-6 record.

The league has proven to be more equal this season and it is still anyone's ball game.

For instance, there were no games that went to overtime last season but fans have already been treated to four matches that went to extra period so far. Read More…

Source: The Brunei Times

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ABL 6th Week Highlights - Part 2 - Brunei Barracudas 71 - 56 AirAsia Philippine Patriots

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Barracudas get Slam-med

Jason Thomas

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Sunday, November 14, 2010

THE Brunei Barracudas' Asean Basketball League (ABL) play-off hopes suffered a dent when they slumped to the Thailand Slammers 70-67 last night.

Their sixth loss of the season, the Barracudas are now bottom of the six-team table with a 2-6 record and are the only team to have played eight of the 15 games.

It was also the second time in a row the Barracudas had difficulty closing a game out after Wednesday night's 81-74 loss to the Singapore Slingers.

Leading for most of the match last night, the Barracudas lost the plot in the fourth quarter, partly because point-guard Ramsey Williams had to be benched because of an injury with more than eight minutes left and partly because they were running out of steam.

Though Esmond Tan did his best to hold the fort for the home side, the momentum had already changed.

Subbed back into the game for the last four minutes, Ramsey nailed two-free throws in the final two minutes to build their lead to 67-61 but there was nothing the Barracudas could do when the Slammers embarked on a 9-0 run straight after. Read More…

Source: The Brunei Times

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Avenido: It was hard to play my former mates

Yee Chun Leong

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Saturday, November 13, 2010

THE Singapore Slingers came to town, they shot and got their first away win of the sophomore season of the Asean Basketball League (ABL) on Wednesday night.

The visitors pulled it off with an 81-74 victory over the Brunei Barracudas at the Indoor Stadium in Berakas and it was former Barracudas point guard, Leo Avenido, that provided the spark for the win in the final five minutes of the match.

The 6ft 1in Filipino scored eight of the Slingers' final 14 points in that period to seal victory for his 'new' team after the six-man rotation of the Barracudas collapsed due to lack of stamina.

But, it was not an easy task for Avenido to play his former team in his first return to Brunei since joining the Singapore outfit.

"I had mixed emotions. I was excited and sad at the same time ... having to play against my former teammates and coach," said Avenido, in an interview with The Brunei Times, yesterday.

"Coach Bong (Ramos) is like a father to me, but I'm happy that we won. This is my job and on the court I need to get the job done," added the 32-year-old Filipino, who scored 15 points in the victory.

Since joining the Slingers, Avenido has become the main hitman for the team averaging a team high of 21.5 points per game in six matches to place fifth overall in the league. Read More…

Source: The Brunei Times

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China test for nat'l cagers

Yee Chun Leong

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Friday, November 12, 2010

Top Filipino players in Brunei included in line-up

THE national basketball team are gearing up for the 3rd China-Asean Men's Basketball Invitational tournament which will be held from Nov 30-Dec 6 at Pingguo County, Guangxi, China.

The team started their third quarter training programme in mid October and this is the first time that the national cagers are working alongside the top Filipino players in the country.

Kevin Reece, the national basketball coach, disclosed to The Brunei Times that the lineup heading to China would include the foursome of Geve Leones, Elvin Requintin, Marjomar Aying and Don Mordeno. Read More…

Source: The Brunei Times

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Lions remain king of the animals

Yee Chun Leong

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Thursday, November 11, 2010

THE Singapore Slingers took it up a notch in the final five minutes to deny the Barracudas their first back-to-back wins this season with an 81-74 victory in their Asean Basketball League (ABL) match last night at the Indoor Stadium of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex in Berakas.

The result means that the Barracudas have yet to beat the Slingers in four meetings dating back to last season.

The match was tied at 67 apiece with 4:54 remaining in regulation before the Slingers went on a 7-0 run with former-Barracudas import Leo Avenido contributing five points in the effort.

Chris Commons would reply with a three-pointer but Avenido nailed his own from beyond the arc and scored on a layup in quick succession to put his team up 79-70 with two minutes to go.

The Barracudas regrouped for back-to-back baskets to cut the deficit to five but Slingers American import Kyle Jeffers connected on a turnaround shot from the freethrow line over the outstretched arm of Chris Garnett with under a minute to play to seal the victory.

"Their (Barracudas) defence was good. I was struggling to score as they had a hand in my face the whole game but they gave me too much room late on and I took the chance," said Leo Avenido, during an interview with The Brunei Times, after the triumph.

"I didn't want to force anything early on so I left the ball in the hands of our big men (Jeffers and Marcus Skinner) and they did their job," he added. Read More…

Source: The Brunei Times

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Barracudas hunting for second straight win

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

THE Brunei Barracudas are eyeing their second win on the spin when they take on the Singapore Slingers in tonight's Asean Basketball League action.

Fresh off their convincing 71-56 victory over titleholders and leaders Philippine Patriots last Saturday, confidence should be on a high in the camp after handing the defending champions their first loss of the season.

Tonight's game will be the second in a string of three home games for the Barracudas at the Indoor Stadium of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas, and there has never been a better time than now to improve on their 2-4 record.

The Slingers, meanwhile, are looking to bounce back from their 88-83 overtime loss to Satria Muda BritAma in Jakarta last Saturday. Read More…

Source: The Brunei Times

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2nd Kiarong Cup 4-on-4 Basketball Tournament INVITATIONAL

Rex Villanueva

The Moment to Shine

2 November 2010 – KIARONG -

24 games, 6 teams, 1 ball, 1 Cup as the Kiarong Cup opens once again with its second Season thru the efforts of the Kiarong Tuesday Club. The journey to get the Cup of friendship, sportsmanship and brotherhood will again prevail.

Kiarong cup officially tipped of last 2 November 2010, with the FBA Director Rickret Realret as their Guest of Honors.

Trying to make a difference in the game of basketball, this tournament aims to have the real spirit of friendship and sportsmanship. Competition was set aside and the main objective is to have fun and celebrate this sport with excitement and how this game should be really played. With this endeavor, the club wanted to share this enthusiasm by inviting some teams to witness and experience this new culture of playing.

KTC was very honored for having two new teams from outside Kiarong Area. They responded to the its invitation and they were really thrilled on how this event is going. Joining their passion are the team of Fun bread Fun Donuts headed by Mr. Frederick Diacos and Mr. Mervin Principe and the team Of S & T Kings, with Mr. Gabriel San Pablo and Mr. Albert Sinubre.

More photos in our Facebook fan page and become a fan!

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Sharks crush Hope

Yee Chun Leong

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Monday, November 8, 2010

A THIRD quarter eruption by Sharks helped them get crowned the champions of 38-year-old and below category of the Syarikat MK Jazmar Cup and defeat Hope 93-88 in the final at the Brunei Basketball Association court in Batu Bersurat last night.

Aries Castro, who is dubbed the scoring machine of Sharks, had a game-high of 27 points after a slow start with only four first half points. Don Mordeno added 26 points in the winning effort.

Hope played well as a team with five of their players notching double figures. Marcelino Magaan topscord for Hope with 20 points and Benjo Ramos added 16. Danny Felicilda, Marjomar Aying and Mike Nuguid added 14, 13 and 12 points respectively to a losing cause.

Both teams came out ready for battle and they played with caution. Sharks were doing a great job at the defensive end with a box-one strategy putting Daris Alnajer on Aying.

However, Hope played to their strengths by taking it inside the paint with their height advantage to score easily.

Sharks failed to box out which resulted in Hope cleaning the glass in the opening period as they opened up a 20-15 advantage heading into the second quarter.

Hope continued their form and were making the extra pass inside to score. Read More…

Source: The Brunei Times

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Is there any Hope for Sharks' final rivals?

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Sunday, November 7, 2010

IT doesn't get any better than this for basketball fans in Brunei.

The final of the 38-year-old and below category of the Syarikat MK Jazmar Cup between Sharks and Hope will be contested today at the Brunei Basketball Association court in Batu Bersurat.

Sharks had defeated Hope 83-80 in a nail-biting finish which was decided by freethrows in the group stages. However, today's championship match is a different ball game and Sharks hope to pick up their second straight title after winning the 2010 Sultan's Cup in August.

"I'm playing against one of my best friends (Marjomar Aying) and we'll just treat it as another ordinary game with no pressure," said Don Mordeno, in an interview with The Brunei Times, yesterday.

"We have a good chance of winning if we are able to stop their big men (Marcelino Magaan and Allan Caringal) and, of course, we plan to stop Aying as well," he added. Read More…

Source: The Brunei Times

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Patriots lose 100pc record

Yee Chun Leong

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Barracudas hand champs their 1st defeat of season.

THE Brunei Barracudas avoided a triple whammy at the hands of defending champions, the Philippine Patriots, with a 71-56 upset in their Asean Basketball League (ABL) match at the Indoor Stadium of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex in Berakas last night.

It was Ramsey Williams that stepped up with a game-high of 23 points for the Barracudas and Chris Commons poured in 20.

On the other hand, the Patriots were missing the presence of their second import as their bench failed to step up in the encounter.

It seemed like only Ernesto Billones came out to play as he notched 19 points while the Patriots lone import Donald Little had a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds to a losing cause.

It was not the way the Patriots would like to start the match picking up only two points in the first quarter.

Nothing was going for them at the offensive end with the Filipinos trailing 16-2 at the end of the opening period. Read More…

Source: The Brunei Times

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Exclusive interview with coach Ozell Wells. His unbelievable World Record: his career has taken him over 47 countries, from China to Brunei!!

Ozell Wells is the coach of the Brunei Barracudas playing the ASEAN Basketball League (aka ABL). But the story of the Detroit native is unbelievable! He grew up on the North-East side of the city (Ozell also holds a Dominican passport though) and spent a considerable portion of his youth involved in competitive sports. Ozell's high school years were spent at Cass Technical High School in Detroit, Michigan. As a direct result of Ozell's academic interests, and proficiency, he was offered academic scholarships to nearly every school in the United States: Harvard, Princeton, Cornell, University of Michigan, UCLA and North Carolina. During Ozell's freshman year, he met and befriended Charles Turner, Head men's basketball coach at University of Michigan-Dearborn. After close discussion with former Michigan and NBA player Mark Hughes, Ozell decided to assist the Grand Rapids Hoops of the CBA, where Hughes was coaching the team. It was with the experience gained there, and after receiving his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Michigan in 1999, he embarked on what soon became a professional basketball coach. Ozell Wells career has taken him over 47 countries to date, ranging from China to Yemen, from Estonia to Brunei.

Ozell, your story is amazing. Maybe you have a world record that it's worth to be told. Tell our readers how was it possible you have visited and worked in 47 countries so far as a basketball coach. 

Not sure if they have such a record. I do however know of a few other coaches who would rank higher on the totem pole if there was such a record in existence. Terry Layton, Scott Fields and Rajko Toroman are a few of them. My last stop is with Barracudas in Brunei, where I am one of the coaches and I am really comfortable over here experiencing the competitive ASEAN Basketball League. Read More…

Source: BasketballTelegraph

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'2 Barracuda players didn't get doctor's nod'

From Yee Chun Leong
IN KUALA LUMPUR

Monday, November 1, 2010

IT WAS an outing to forget, for the Brunei Barracudas at least.

The Brunei team were hammered 87-48 by the KL Dragons in their Asean Basketball League (ABL) battle at the Maba Stadium in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday in a match that never reached the final buzzer.

Brunei's first professional team were without the services of head coach Bong Ramos and two key players Chris Commons and Chester Tolomia due to conjunctivitis.

The match proceeded as scheduled but was it a fair decision by the ABL considering how important it would be at the end of the season?

"The Barracudas flew into KL on Thursday with six or seven of their players getting red eye on the plane. So we had them sent to the clinic to get the clear from the doctor," said Kuhan Foo, the ABL CEO, in an interview with The Brunei Times, yesterday. Read More…

Source: The Brunei Times

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