White Haven post 109-45 victory over TJP

Yee Chun Leong
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Sunday, November 22, 2009

TOURNAMENT favourites White Haven got off to a good start by demolishing TJP 109-45 last night in the Under-23 category of the Basketball Youth Cup at the Brunei Basketball Association (BBA) court in Batu Bersurat.

Tony Bong topscored with 34 points while Joseno Mangoroban contributed 28 points for White Haven.

On the other hand, Fakhri Hj Bangkul led TJP with 12 points and Na'iem Hj Azmi chipped in 11 points to a losing cause.

Both teams started off sluggishly as they found difficulty to get any rhythm going in the game. However, White Haven soon picked up the pieces as they took a 14-0 lead midway through the opening period. TJP were not helped by their turnovers and finally got on the scoreboard with less than four minutes into the quarter. White Haven quickly opened up a 31-7 lead going into the second quarter.

TJP couldn't set themselves up on offence while White Haven were enjoying every possession as they dominated in every department of the game to score at will. White Haven had opened up an unassailable 57-19 lead heading into halftime as they cruised to the lopsided victory.

"The guys were having fun and at the same time staying focus despite leading by a huge margin," said Erwin Velez, head coach of White Haven, after the victory. "If the team continues to play like the way they have shown tonight (Saturday), I think that we stand a chance to make it into the final," added Velez.

The ex-Philippine Basketball Association player mentioned that it was the team's great teamwork that brought them the victory. "They know how each other plays. They know where to run and also to pass. With a few more adjustments, I believe we have a good chance," said Velez.

When asked on what kind of message he was hoping to send out to the other teams, Velez replied: "I told my players that we have to be serious at all times and stay focus in the game. We just want to gain the respect from our opponents and hopefully we managed it tonight (Saturday)."

In the earlier game, OSP left it till late to defeat International School Brunei (ISB) 47-37 in the Under-18 category.

Welfred Phang led OSP with 15 points while Wilson Lau topscored for ISB with 16 points.

Organised by the BBA, a total of 15 teams are competing in the Under-18 category of the tournament. Group A comprised of Stars, POXIO Re-Mix, Easyway Delima, ISB and OSP while Group B are made up of Knights, TSB, Recon Bullets, BliTz and New Plus Optical. The teams in Group C are QQeStore, HHY, Rangers, Phils Trading and Blackjack.

The Under-23 category will see 11 teams contest for the championship with White Haven, TJP, Easyway Bunut, Selangan, SOON and SKK making up group A. Meanwhile, Group B comprised of Ago go Salon, Seri Bangar Temburong, Easyway Qlap, TTLO and Pyrogen.

The competition continues today with Recon Bullets taking on BliTz at 7pm in the Under-18 category followed by Ago go Salon going up against Seri Bangar Temburong at 8.30pm for the Under-23 category.

source: The Brunei Times

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Aziz Latif & Co post third win in LBC Cup

Yee Chun Leong
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Friday, November 20, 2009

  

AZIZ LATIF AND COMPANY (ALC) left it till late to end any hopes of Liga Bumiputera making it into the semifinals by defeating them 82-67 last night in Group B of the regular seven stars category of the LBC Cup at the Brunei Basketball Association court in Batu Bersurat.

ALC had a balanced offence with Ralph Borja leading the way with 15 points, all coming in the fourth quarter, and Ron Ang contributed 13 points. On the other hand, the trio of brothers led the way for Liga Bumiputera with Hj Md Rahmat with a game-high 22 points while Hj Md Badri and Hj Md Sabri Hj Suhaili each had 11 points.

Both teams started out equally as they exchanged baskets through the quarter. ALC were controlling the boards as well with their height and size advantage. However, Liga Bumiputera edged ahead to take 21-19 advantage into the second period.

ALC then picked up their defence and decided to feed their big man in the low post to score. Chris Mariano, who finished with 12 points, heated up by putting in three three-pointers that helped ALC grab the lead from their opponents at 42-36 going into halftime.

Liga Bumiputera, knowing that only a win would give them a chance of survival to make it into the semi-finals, pushed forward in the third period as they were running the floor well.

A few defensive lapses at the ALC end meant that Liga Bumiputera closed the gap to within 55-57 heading into the final stanza.

ALC had a couple of defensive stops while Liga Bumiputera were failing to convert at the offensive end despite getting the open looks.

The inexperience of the all-Malay team showed midway through the period as they were trailing 59-70. ALC were slowing the game down by controlling every possession by winding the clock down. After being scoreless for the first three quarters, Borja ignited his team on offence to sink three three-pointers within the last five minutes to kill the game off.

"The team's performance was okay. It's great that we managed to bounce back from our loss (against Beaver Engineering last Saturday)," said Lito Calina, head coach of ALC, after the victory.

"We have learned from our previous game and corrected all our mistakes. Fortunately for us, tonight (Thursday), we executed all our set plays which we failed to do so previously," added Calina.

When asked on what was key in the victory, Calina replied: "It was our better defence and also teamwork eventhough we're still gelling together."

Meanwhile, Hj Md Sofrian Hj Md Yusof, head coach of Liga Bumiputera, is looking at the bright side of things despite the loss.

"Initially we were here for the experience and to gain exposure but we gave it a good run. We were just oversized and didn't have enough depth on the bench for tonight's (Thursday) game that we lost," said Hj Md Sofrian.

The competition continues on Sunday with IMD B taking on Nueva Ecija Patriot for the 45 years old and above category at 1.30pm.

Playing in the other game are El Tigre Marshalls and Pinoy 1st Edition in Group A at 3pm.

source: The Brunei Times
photo by: Raul Padernal

Morley Movers notch 1st win in LBC Cup

Yee Chun Leong
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

MORLEY MOVERS finally barged into the win column after demolishing Menglait All-Star 74-56 last night in Group B of the regular seven stars category of the LBC Cup at the Brunei Basketball Association court in Batu Bersurat.

Marvyn Belleza had a game-high 37 points for Morley Movers and Anthony Almorio chipped in 10 points. On the other hand, Gerald Gravador and Jeferson Serano each had 14 points for Menglait All-Star to a losing cause.

Both teams started out equally as they exchanged baskets throughout the opening minutes of the game. Using their height and size advantage, Morley Movers were unstoppable under the goal and eventually opened up a 24-16 lead going into the second quarter.

Menglait All-Star came out sluggish in the second period and allowed Morley Movers to extend their lead at 32-21 midway through the stanza.

Morley Movers relied on fastbreaks as Menglait All-Star could not get back on defence. In addition, Menglait All-Star were disorganised at the defensive end as they didn't cover the cutting lanes for Morley Movers to score easily. Belleza was bullying his smaller opponents down the post helping his team extend their lead at 44-26 going into halftime.

A turn in tides occurred as Morley Movers seemed out of focus in the third period. Menglait All-Star picked up their defence to make steals as they went on fastbreaks to reduce the deficit. However, to make matters worse, Menglait All-Star were missing their shots at the offensive end despite getting open looks. Morley Movers stayed in the driving seat 53-41 heading into the final quarter.

Menglait All-Star took advantage of Morley Movers' turnovers and trimmed the gap at 56-65 with less than two minutes left in the game. However, Morley Movers regained their form to send Menglait All-Star to their fifth straight loss.

Morley Movers head coach Nick Baliber noted the team's improvement after losing their first three games.

"Our performance was not very good for the past few games.

We still need more time to gel together as we are a new team. However, tonight (Tuesday) we have picked up on our teamwork," said Baliber after the game.

source: The Brunei Times
photo by: Raul Padernal

PiGA - Pinoy Golfers Around Farewell Game

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Leones lifts Palm past ABMS

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN


Monday, November 16, 2009

PALM CAFE left it till late to defeat ABMS 96-78 in their Group A match of the regular seven stars category of the LBC Cup at the Brunei Basketball Association court in Batu Bersurat yesterday.

Billed as the final preview of the tournament, Geve Leones had a game-high 29 points for Palm Cafe and Danny Felicilda contributed 19 points.

On the other hand, Don Dadis Mordeno led ABMS with 24 points and Rhoy Binas chipped in 20.

Palm Cafe were in the driving seat for most of the game until ABMS picked up their full court man-to-man pressure defence that allowed them to rally in the fourth quarter to tie the match at 69 apiece with seven minutes left in the game.

However, a well rested Leones took charge to carry his team in the closing stages of the game dishing the ball to his open teammates after drawing multiple defenders.

ABMS were made to rue their missed chances as they found it difficult to convert their shots.

In addition, exhaustion crept in and they couldn't catch up with the faster Palm Cafe team resulting in their first loss in the competition.

"We were very lucky especially that all the players stepped up and gave it their best in the game. They played well and followed all the instructions that were given," said Lito Porlahe, the playing coach of Palm Cafe, after the victory.

Porlahe rested Leones in the third quarter and this allowed ABMS to get back into the game.

ABMS used the opportunity to reduce their half time 54-41 deficit to 67-61 going into the final stanza.

"I had to sit him (Leones) out to prepare for the crucial final quarter. I went with the smaller line up then to make it a fast game," explained Porlahe.

"Overall I am satisfied with the performance as we didn't get any practice last week. I believe we stand a chance to win the competition if we can keep it going at this rate."

In the day's early game, GILR Wildcats notched up their third straight win with an 82-68 triumph over Liga Bumiputera in Group B.

Randolf Vinas topscored for the Wildcats with 29 points while Jamri Ramlee led Liga Bumiputera with 16 points.

MK Super Kids, meanwhile, easily overcame Nueva Ecija Patriot 78-52 in their 45 years old and above match.

Rey Abieras led MK Super Kids with 15 points.

source: The Brunei Times