Barracudas, the hunt starts now

Yee Chun Leong
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Thursday, January 20, 2011

A good beginning makes a good ending

IT was not surprising as for two straight years now the Brunei Barracudas have failed to make it into the playoffs of the Asean Basketball League (ABL).

It was always a steep hill to climb from the start and it was a chaotic sophomore season which saw primarily negative headlines through the highlights loss of fans, mass exodus of local players, as well as a game that never reached the final buzzer.

The Barracudas finished at the bottom of the six-team table on a 4-11 win-loss record and were the first team out of the playoff picture at the beginning of this year.

So what can the team learn from all that has happened for the past two seasons?

First of all, Brunei's first professional basketball team can learn from the situation of the Thailand Tigers side from the inaugural season.

The Tigers were a team mired in controversy after it was revealed that players were not being paid.

It has been an incredible turnaround for the team from Thailand after finishing last in the first season with a 3-12 record. Read More…

Source: The Brunei Times

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Ramos named new mentor of Air21 Express

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Thursday, January 20, 2011

COACH Bong Ramos will be coaching again straight away not with the Barracudas though after the Filipino was named as the new mentor of Air21 Express in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) as reported by GMA News TV.

The 50-year-old is set to make his second stint as a PBA head coach having managed the FedEx Express squad in the 2004-2005 season before the franchise changed its name to Air21.

Ramos, who was a former Coach of the Year in the Indonesian Basketball League, will succeed Yeng Guiao, who has moved to Rain or Shine Elasto Painters as the new head coach.

Ramos was chosen among a list of candidates that included Junel Baculi, Leo Austria, Boyet Fernandez and Air21 team manager Allan Gregorio.

The former assistant coach for the Barangay Ginebra and Talk 'N Text returned to the Philippines on Monday after the Barracudas failed to reach the postseason of the Asean Basketball League (ABL) for the second straight year. Read More…

Source: The Brunei Times

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Coach Reece begins Brunei's '15 Strong' programme

Yee Chun Leong
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Sunday, January 16, 2011

THE search is on for the best cagers in the country to fill the roster of the national basketball team as they had their first training sessions earlier this week.

Kevin Reece, the national basketball coach, had revealed that the motto for the new year was "15-strong" where only the best 15 players would be selected and developed to represent the Sultanate.

So far so good for the American as he looks to rectify any problems that have arisen since last year.

"First we'll have to address the issues. We need more leaders from our point guards as they are not giving the ball enough to the big man. We also have to work on our freethrows and scoring on our fastbreaks. We need to get better in all of that," said Reece, during an interview with The Brunei Times yesterday.

"Our defence also needs work. We want to tweak to get it better so that we can sustain it for 40 minutes and it's important that we move back to the basic fundamentals," he added.

There were also new additions to the training scheme making it a bigger pool for selection but the new faces will face a tough task ahead to show that they belong, compared to those that have already fit into the system.

"We have some new faces and they have yet to adapt. They will have to work on their defensive stance and we're also working on our fitness as a team. Some may be struggling in certain areas but we're getting stronger," said Reece. Read More…

Source: The Brunei Times

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Barracudas finally bare dormant fangs

Amir Amin
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Sunday, January 16, 2011

IT was sweet revenge for the Brunei Barracudas as they triumphed 87-73 over KL Dragons to sign off their sophomore season of the Asean Basketball League (ABL) on a positive note last night.

Though the local outfit had nothing left to play for, the Barracudas Reef was filled to the brim with supporters at the Indoor Stadium of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex, Berakas in their final match of the season and the local outfit did not disappoint.

Chris Garnett powered the Barracudas to the victory with a monstrous game high 34 points and hauled down 11 rebounds for a double-double.

Bryan Faundo also registered a double-double of his own with 10 points and 11 rebounds, while Chester Tolomia and Chris Commons added 19 and 14 points respectively.

Filipino Ramsey Williams etched his name into the ABL record books with an all-time high 14 assists. He was also two rebounds shy from a triple-double, scoring 10 points and eight rebounds.

Nakiea Miller was the only player on the KL Dragons roster that recorded a double-double with 21 points and 15 rebounds. Yoong Jing Kwaan contributed 14 points and teammate Justin Leith netted another 12 in the loss. Read More…

Source: The Brunei Times

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It's now or never as the season ends

Yee Chun Leong
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Barracudas out to avenge heartbreak loss to Dragons

IT has come down to the wire in the sophomore season of the Asean Basketball League (ABL).

There is plenty to play for in the final day of the regular season today with all six teams seeing action.

Results for all matches can either make or break teams as the fourth and final spot for the playoffs is still in contention.

Satria Muda BritAma will host the Philippine Patriots at the BritAma Arena in Jakarta in a must-win situation for a chance to make it into the playoffs.

A loss for Satria Muda, who hold a 6-8 win-loss record, would spell an end to their playoff campaign.

Even if the Indonesian outwit were to win, it doesn't guarantee them a spot in the postseason as it will be dependent on the outcome of the match between league leaders Thailand Slammers and the Singapore Slingers at the Nimibutr Indoor Stadium in Bangkok.

The Patriots (8-6) are currently in third place and only a win might allow them a chance to claim second.

However, their inconsistent form as of late doesn't guarantee them victory against the streaking Satria Muda, who have won four straight in their late surge. Read More…

Source: The Brunei Times

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Baraccudas land in records

Yee Chun Leong
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Brunei outfit to play final game against KL on Jan 15

THE Brunei Barracudas got themselves into the Asean Basketball League (ABL) record books on Sunday for all the wrong reasons.

The Brunei outfit found themselves on the receiving end of another beating against the Singapore Slingers as they went down as the team that allowed the most points scored by an opponent, as well as the team with the largest losing margin.

The Slingers needed a win and it was clear they knew what they had to do never taking their foot off the pedal, humiliating the Barracudas with a 102-61 scoreline, enroute to becoming the first team to break the century mark in the two-year-old league.

The triumph also means that the Barracudas have yet to defeat the Slingers in six meetings since the inaugural season.

The Slingers were relentless on defence and held Brunei's first professional team to without a single field goal in the first quarter.

The game seemed over when the scoreboard read 27-2 at the end of the first stanza with the Barracudas' two points coming via Chris Garnett from the charity stripe.

It seemed like there was no way back for the Barracudas with the Slingers leading comfortably at 52-20 at halftime. Read More…

Source: The Brunei Times

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Brunei can learn from King James' experience

Yee Chun Leong
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Monday, January 10, 2011

EVEN superheroes need sidekicks. Just look at Batman and Robin, Wolverine and his fellow X-Men, Han Solo and Chewbacca, Robin Hood and Little John, Hang Tuah and the four 'Hangs', Kim Possible and Ron Stoppable and in the NBA kingdom Kobe The Black Mamba Bryant and his amigo Gasol.

Basketball is also a game of superheroes and their sidekicks.

To prove this let's go back to the 2009 Brunei Pepsi Cup, when then new Filipino powerhouses Babes Boutique won their first major tournament in the country, defeating Linktech 94-79 in the final.

The winning formula for head coach of Babes Boutique, Kaka Espartero, was that he brought in four new key players Don Dadis Mordeno, Majomar Aying, Hosend Mangoroban and Mak Del Mundo into the team to improve his side.

But, the national cagers, who competed in the tournament as Yuan Tong Enterprise (YTE), only managed to take bronze in the tournament the Bruneians beating Chop Eng Seng Keo Pinoy Resources 80-76 in the third place play-off. Read More…

Source: The Brunei Times

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Hook, line and sinker, Barracudas gutted

Jason Thomas
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Monday, January 10, 2011

Brunei outfit destroyed 102-61 by Slingers

THE Brunei Barracudas probably can't wait until the Asean Basketball League is over.

Already out of the playoffs and with only pride on the line, the basement dwellers tamely surrendered to the Singapore Slingers 102-61 yesterday — the victory marking the first time any team surpassed the century mark.

Their sixth loss in as many attempts against the Slingers, the result at the Singapore Indoor Stadium leaves the Barracudas with a 3-11 record and still in the hunt for their first win over the Singaporeans.

All the players in the Slingers squad got on to the scoresheet, with former Barracudas point guard Leo Avenido top-scoring with 23 points and four assists.

Marcus Skinner had a double-double with 19 points, 10 rebounds and skipper Kyle Jeffers ended with 10 points, 16 rebounds, three assists and three steals.

The game also marked the renaissance of point guard Al Vergara, who put up 15 points, four assists and four steals — including hitting all three of his shots from downtown. Read More…

Source: The Brunei Times

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Barracudas try to pick up scraps

Yee Chun Leong
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Brunei out for redemption against Slingers

THE Brunei Barracudas may be down and out with their season ending early after failing to make it into the playoffs of the Asean Basketball League (ABL) this season but there is still something to play for - bragging rights.

The Barracudas will face the Singapore Slingers at the Singapore Indoor Stadium today and they have yet to stop the rot against the Singapore outfit.

They have played each other five times dating back to last season and the Slingers were victorious in all five of the meetings.

So will this time be anything different?

Based on statistics, nothing is in the favour of the Barracudas. On the other hand, the Slingers are hungry and they know that only a win would help them secure a playoff berth.

The Barracudas are the current basement dwellers of the six-team table with a 3-10 win-loss record.

Their last victory was a 75-66 win against Satria Muda BritAma at the Indoor Stadium of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex back on November 20. Read More…

Source: The Brunei Times

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Reece welcomes Tan to 'nat'l team'

Yee Chun Leong
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Friday, January 7, 2011

WILL the national basketball team be better if Esmond Tan, arguably the Sultanate's best cager, joins the line-up?

National basketball coach Kevin Reece definitely thinks so.

Reece last July invited all local players to join his training scheme to be selected to the national squad, but Tan failed to turn up due to work commitments.

Tan who was with the Brunei Barracudas told The Brunei Times then that chances of him making it into the national basketball team were slim from the start due to his personal commitments.

However, the 26-year-old cager revealed on Wednesday that he would be joining the national training next week for the first time.

Reece believes that Tan's decision to join the national team's training scheme will definitely be a boost for the squad.

"We have a system. If he can and is willing to adapt to it, his talent will be a great addition to the team," said Reece, in an interview with The Brunei Times, yesterday. Read More…

Source: The Brunei Times

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The return of Brunei's prodigal cager

Yee Chun Leong
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Thursday, January 6, 2011

IS IT finally going to happen?

Esmond Tan (pic) revealed to The Brunei Times last July that chances of him making it into the national basketball team were slim from the start due to his personal commitments.

The national basketball coach Kevin Reece had left the door open for players to join his training scheme to be selected to the squad and Tan was one who failed to comply.

But now the 26-year-old will finally lace up and start off his new year with a bang by joining in the national training next week.

"I think I'll be back to training with the national team starting this Monday. I'm really looking forward to training this year. However, it will be a big commitment," said Tan, during an interview with The Brunei Times, yesterday.

"But it is up to the coach to decide if it's acceptable for me to train two weeks each month," he added.

Tan is an employee with Brunei Shell Petroleum and is required to work offshore two weeks before returning to land.

"I want to be back like the old days and get fit once again. I believe that I have been slacking quite a lot compared to few years back due to work commitments," he said. Read More…

Source: The Brunei Times

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All's not well with Barracudas

Amir Amin
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

CHAOTIC and no, we are not referring to Britney Spears's reality television series rather describing the Brunei Barracudas' sophomore season in the Asean Basketball League (ABL).

Loss of fans, mass exodus of local players and a match that did not even reach the final buzzer are among the highlights of their season and it is not even over yet.

How did Brunei's first professional basketball team manage to attract so many negative headlines?

Perhaps the Barracudas' problem lies far below the surface, or more appropriately off the court rather than on it.

Remember Mike Pilgrim, who was sacked by the team because of "disciplinary issues"last season?

The Barracudas literally pushed the self-destruct button when they let the American go because it came just three days before a do-or-die battle against then league leaders, the Philippine Patriots.

The fans cried foul over his exit and they were justified when the Barracudas lost 87-65 to the hosts at the Ynares Sports Arena in the Philippines. The defeat dashed the Bruneians' play-off chances. Read More…

Source: The Brunei Times

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ABL: Barracudas fall to Satria Muda and are out of the play-offs

Amir Amin
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Monday, January 3, 2011

DOWN AND OUT!

A HAPPY new year it is not for the Brunei Barracudas who started 2011 on a losing note falling 87-70 to Satria Muda in the Asean Basketball League (ABL) yesterday.

The defeat at the Indoor Stadium of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex in Berakas yesterday means that the Barracudas are now out of the ABL play-offs.

Currently sitting at the bottom of the six-team ABL table, with six points and a 3-10 win-loss record, the Barracudas needed to beat their Indonesian rivals to have any hopes of advancing to the play-offs.

American import Chris Commons failed to lead the Barracudas towards victory despite scoring a game-high 23 points.

Compatriot Chris Garnett registered a double-double with 22 points and 12 rebounds. Chester Tolomia rounded off the top three for the Barracudas with 12 points.

In contrast, five players from the visiting team registered double figures to shoot down the Barracudas. Read More…

Source: The Brunei Times

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Barracudas face immediate upstream challenge in 2011

Amir Amin
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Team prepare to take on Satria Muda tomorrow

A CHANGE of luck in the Asean Basketball League is all that the Barracudas can hope for with the rolling in of the new year.

The Barracudas are scheduled to play Satria Muda tomorrow but others around the region will no doubt focus their attention over at the Nimibutr National Stadium as leaders Thailand Slammers host 2009/10 champions Philippines Patriots, a match billed as the "Clash of the Titans".

If the match in Thailand is dubbed as such then the contest over at the Indoor Stadium of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex in Berakas could be termed "Clash of the Bottom-Feeders".

The local-outfit sit at the basement of the six-team league with a 3-9 win-loss record while opponents-to-be Satria Muda place at fifth (4-8).

Before Dec 13th the Barracudas would have entered the match confidently after having beaten the Indonesian-side twice this season. However after the mass exodus of local players Esmond Tan, Benjamin Lim, Md Badri Hj Suhaili and Lim Aik Hock, the Barracudas are left reeling with their exit.

Reserves Jamri Ramlee, Md Rahmat Hj Suhaili, Ahmad Termizi Hj Nordeen and Afif Khalidi were swiftly promoted to first-team status to fill in the gaps but it proved to have little impact in their first test against the Slammers on Dec 22. Read More…

Source: The Brunei Times

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