GILR Wildcats ready to conquer

Yee Chun Leong
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Saturday, March 6, 2010

THE GILR Wildcats are hoping to sweep group B when they face off against Muara Gas in the 37 years old category of the Filipino Amateur Basketball (FAB) tournament tonight at the Brunei Basketball Association (BBA) court in Batu Bersurat.

Having already notched up two consecutive victories against Pizza Hut and MK Kids respectively, the 2009 Jake's Streetball Champions are aiming to make it three in a row against the winless Muara Gas.

"We have to win this game even though we're already through to the semi-finals. We want to carry the momentum going into the next round," said Robert Rubillar, the playing assistant coach of the GILR Wildcats, in an interview with The Brunei Times yesterday.

"We know that our opponents are going to come up strong as they wouldn't want to go down with zero wins in the tournament. So we're expecting a tough match against them," added Rubillar.

"Actually they are a strong team with some big-sized players and I believe the coach has probably made the right adjustments in improving their teamwork."

However, Rubillar pointed out that their team is stronger than ever before with the additions of Jerold Pascua and Mark Del Mundo into the lineup for a one-two punch at the frontcourt.

"These are key players on the offensive and defensive ends. They are the missing pieces of the puzzle and have given us what the team had been lacking before," said Rubillar.

Don Dadis Mordeno and Ronnel Sugnan form the offensive backcourt that will be spearheading the team.

On the other hand, Muara Gas are going to give all they got in the hope of picking up a victory against the group leaders.

"We're going to come out and try to grab a win. However, some of our main players will not be available tomorrow night (Saturday night)," said Tony Cabrera, the head coach of Muara Gas.

"We're still working on our teamwork and a total team effort is needed to help us create an upset," added Cabrera.

The game will tip off at 9pm.

The late game will see Hua Ho Glory go up against MDA in Group A at 10.30pm.

source: The Brunei Times

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Asaff's late show dashes Hope

Yee Chun Leong
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Friday, March 5, 2010

ASAFF left it till late to overcome Hope 79-77 in a highly controversial match in Group A of the 37 years old and below category of the Filipino Amateur Basketball (FAB) tournament at the Brunei Basketball Association (BBA) court in Batu Bersurat on Wednesday night.

Four players were in double figures for Asaff with Majomar Aying scoring a game-high of 23 points.

The Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the 3rd Manjaro Cup in October Danny Felicilda contributed 17 points while Romel Valmores and Mike Nuguid each chipped in 12 points.

On the other hand, Marcelino topscored for Hope with 19 points and Jeff Paraiso added 17 points in a losing effort.

"We went up against a good team last night (Wednesday night), but I guess we got lucky and won the match," said Aying, in an interview with The Brunei Times, yesterday.

"They really did well on defence to shut us down and played with great teamwork. They had a chance to tie the game while holding onto the last possession of the match but they failed to make the shot," added the 23-year-old player.

Asaff came out storming in the opening period while Hope got off to a slow start. This helped Asaff to open up a double-digit lead at 22-8 going into the second quarter.

However, Hope recovered in the second stanza and rallied to grab a four-point lead at halftime.

Hope extended their advantage to as many as nine points in the third quarter but a rejuvenated Asaff side fought back in the fourth quarter to regain the lead before holding on for their second straight victory.

"Their main players (Magaan and Paraiso) both stepped up in the match. However, it was a good team effort as we stayed composed in the last quarter ... and it helped us win the game," said Aying.

"But I believe that we can do much better as we're still adjusting to the new players on the team," added Aying.

Asaff are eyeing the top spot in their group with only a game left in the group stages. Their final group match is against MDA on Sunday.

On the other hand, Paraiso felt that it was bad refereeing that robbed them of a victory on Wednesday night.

"We had the last possession and when my teammate (Arnold Buan) went for the layup to tie the score in the dying seconds, there was no foul called despite contact that saw both players hit the deck on the play," said Paraiso, who fouled out with 12 seconds to play.

"It was a really good game, but I think we needed better referees for it," added the 27-year-old Hope forward.

However, Paraiso said that the team were ready to put the game behind them and would focus on defence going into the semi-finals.

In the early game, DHJ picked up their first victory of the tournament with a 73-63 triumph over Pinoy Printers in the 38 years and above category.

Elmer Alburo topscored for DHJ with 27 points while Gabriel San Pablo and Albert Cenabre each contributed 14 points in the win.

On the other hand, Virginio Mararac topscored for the Pinoy Printers with 21 points and Larry Navalta had 12 points to a losing cause.

The competition continues tomorrow with the GILR Wildcats going up against Muara Gas in Group B at 9pm followed by Hua Ho Glory taking on MDA in Group A at 10.30pm.

source: The Brunei Times

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STREETBALLBRUNEI 2010 Official Opening

March 2, 2010 by streetballbrunei


Opening and Game Schedule for Sunday, 7 March 2010:

1:00pm – Opening Ceremonies and drawing of lots

1:30pm – First game Group A

3:00pm – 2nd Game Group B

4:30pm – 3rd Game Group C



Format :

1. FIBA Rules with running time except for the last 2 Mins. of 4th period.

2. Each Team is allowed only a maximum of total two(2) imports per team. Only one(1) import is allowed inside the game as per decision of majority.

3. A Win equals two(2) points and a Lose equals one (1)point. Team standing will be based on highest points gained in each group. For 2 way or 3 way tie, winning margin of games played in elimination to be added for each team. Team with highest margin wins.

Final Grouping of Teams:

source: Streetball Brunei

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Welflex Engineering inch closer to final

Yee Chun Leong
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

picture courtesy of:  Rommel Oliveros

WELFLEX ENGINEERING are on track for a championship berth after defeating the Brunei Buffaloes 70-56 for their second straight victory in the 38 years old and above category of the Filipino Amateur Basketball (FAB) tournament on Sunday night at the Brunei Basketball Association court in Batu Bersurat.

"I think we just caught them by surprise with our continuous running on the court and with the fastbreaks. They were lacking in defence in the first half and we exploited it ... this allowed us to open up a 24-point lead at halftime," said Michael Juan, the playing coach of Welflex Engineering, in an interview with The Brunei Times yesterday.

"Our opponents were disorganised but picked up their defence in the second half. However, we kept up with them and managed to hold on for the win.

"Our main player, Noel Grafil, came up with a good performance as well," added Juan.

However, Juan pointed out that the all-Malay Brunei Buffaloes, which is made up of players under the age of 38 years old, are a tough team and he expects to see a different side if they were to meet in the final.

"They have big players and are a younger team. I believe we might meet them again in the final. If that were to happen then it will be a totally different ball game," said Juan.

Meanwhile, Hj Md Sofrian Hj Md Yusof, the head coach of the Brunei Buffaloes, felt that they lost to a better team.

"The whole point was for everyone to get a chance, for everyone to have fun and be part of the game, but we lost to a better team. Our opponents were on form and shot well especially from the mid-range area," said Hj Md Sofrian.

With a total participation of four teams in the category, Welflex Engineering are now only a win away from sweeping the group in the round-robin format. They also defeated DHJ, the defending champions of the 3rd Manjaro Cup in October, 82-75 last Wednesday.

In the late game, the GILR Wildcats overcame MK Kids 77-68 in Group B of the 37 years old and below category.

The competition continues tomorrow with 3rd Manjaro Cup runners-up, Asaff, going up against Hope in Group A of the 37 years old and below category at 10.30pm.

"This is going to be a tough game because our opponents are a strong team. They are a complete squad with a deep bench and we'll have to focus to pick up a win," said Majomar Aying, who will be spearheading the Asaff team.

"We'll be focusing on our defence because we really need to win this to ensure a berth in the semi-finals and it will determine our position in the group as well," added Aying.

Other players on the Asaff team include Josend Mangoroban and Danny Felicilda, the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the 3rd Manjaro Cup.

Hope are winners of two straight, over MDA and Hua Ho Glory respectively, and are confident of a win that will ensure them top spot in their group heading into the semi-finals.

"It is going to be tough but my players are confident that they can snatch a win against the favourites," said Bernardo Dayao, the head coach of Hope.

Hope, meanwhile, will be banking on Jeff Paraiso and Marcelino Magaan to deliver the goods for the team.

source: The Brunei Times

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Muara run out of Gas, fall to Pizza Hut

Yee Chun Leong
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Sunday, February 28, 2010

Sherwin Antonio (C) of Muara Gas
goes up for a shot against the Pizza Hut
defence in their match last night for the
37 years old and above category of the
FAB tournament at the Brunei Basketball
Association court in Batu Bersurat.
Picture: Courtesy of Maui Salazar.

PIZZA HUT were given a lifeline for a semi-final berth with a 78-71 victory over Muara Gas in Group B of the 37 years old and below category of the Filipino Amateur Basketball (FAB) tournament at the Brunei Basketball Association (BBA) court in Batu Bersurat last night.

Marvin Belleza, the playing coach of Pizza Hut, topscored for the team with 23 points and John Ambanta contributed 16 points for the victory.

On the other hand, Ronald Cornejo had a game-high of 22 points to lead Muara Gas and Joven Balasta chipped in 12 points in a losing effort.

Pizza Hut came out playing man-to-man defence right from the start and pressured their opponents to make turnovers, turning them into fastbreak points. Muara Gas were trying to execute their offence from the low post but had difficulty with Pizza Hut covering the lanes.

Belleza was the go-to-man for Pizza Hut and he had nine points in the opening period helping his team open up a 26-14 advantage heading into the second quarter.

Muara Gas were out of sync on offence and failed to convert on some easy shots despite Pizza Hut letting down their guard on defence in the second period. Both teams struggled from the field but the scores remained with Pizza Hut ahead at 35-25 at halftime.

Pizza Hut came out with a running game after the interval while Muara Gas looked lost on defence. Pizza Hut were passing the ball well to their open players and making their shots putting them in cruise control as they extended their lead to 53-39 going into the final stanza.

It was all Pizza Hut in the fourth quarter as they were draining their shots from both the inside and outside as they extended the gap to as many as 20 points. They could even afford to rest all their starters and fielded their reserves midway through the period.

Muara Gas did stage a late comeback and managed to cut the deficit to single digit but they ran out of time and fell to their second defeat in as many games leaving them out of making the semi-finals.

"Tonight (Saturday night) the team gave 100 per cent to the match. We had a good game and executed well to grab the win," said Belleza, in an interview with The Brunei Times, after the triumph.

"The team showed that they have gelled well but I believe that we can still play better."

Result of the late match between Hua Ho Glory and Hope in Group A was not available at Press time.

The competition continues today with Welflex Engineering taking on Brunei Buffaloes in the 38 years old and above category at 9pm followed by a matchup between Muara Gas and the GILR Wildcats in Group B of the 37 years old and below category at 10.30pm.

source: The Brunei Times

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