Inaugural ASEAN Basketball League kicks off

Satria Muda BritAma 67 – 75 Philippine Patriots

Saturday, 10 October 2009, Jakarta – Today saw the inaugural match of the ASEAN Basketball League take place at the BritAma Arena in Jakarta as Satria Muda BritAma went up against Philippine Patriots in a very close match.

In a hard fought game that went down the wire the visiting Patriots edged Satria Muda 75 to 67. American Brandon Powell top scored for the Patriots with 18 points while Faisal Achmad Julius led the Satria Muda assault with 16 points.

The exciting game was shown regionally over ESPN and was played in front of a crowd of about 3,000 raucous fans.

Dato Sri Tony Fernandes, Chairman of the ABL as well as Group Chief Executive Officer of regional airline Air Asia was looking forward to today – “Today is a great day for basketball in the ASEAN region as we see the ASEAN Basketball League come to life with two basketball giants going up against each other.”

“It was a great exciting game that also delivered on the entertainment front. It has been a great journey here and after a year of preparation this a fantastic start to our fledgling league that we hope will grow into the future of sports and entertainment in the region.

WNBL Round 2 Preview

WNBL Round 2 Preview

from: basketball.net.au

WNBL: Round 2 Preview

In Round 2 of the Women’s National Basketball League things are already heating up with reigning champion the Canberra Capitals chasing their first win and early title favourite Sydney Uni Flames already with a loss to its name.

You can follow the WNBL action on www.wnbl.com.au and with LIVE STATS, on WNBL Radio, and on ABC TV.

Friday October 9

BDS Logan Thunder v Canberra TransACT Capitals, 7.30pm* at Logan Metro

The trip to Logan can be a dangerous prospect for any team. In 2008/09 the new franchise came within two points of upsetting eventual champion Canberra.

In their three meetings Canberra’s only convincing win came in the capital, but in Logan the Capitals won the first encounter by two points, 67-53, and the second by four, 77-73.

While Canberra will be sore coming off a loss to the Bulleen Boomers, 88-73, on Saturday, Logan routed the AIS 79-42.

Bulleen’s tall timbre troubled Canberra but that will be less of a problem with the Thunder line-up. Logan’s Polish import Marta Dydek impressed in her first outing in the league last week with 17 points but grabbed only one rebound and at 195cm is the tallest in the team.

This game will be broadcast with live audio commentary on WNBL Radio.

HEAD-TO-HEAD: Canberra 3 – 0 Logan

Saturday October 10

Adelaide Link Lightning v Bendigo Bank Spirit, 12.30pm at Distinctive Homes Dome, Adelaide ABC TV GAME OF THE WEEK – will be broadcast live on ABC1 from 1.00pm AEDT

Adelaide will be confident after downing Sydney Uni 86-73 on Sunday. Lightning was in sparkling form, led by new captain Jessica Foley.

Bendigo also started 2009/10 season on a high with a 70-55 win over the Dandenong Rangers. Beijing Olympian Kristi Harrower joined the Spirit only a day before taking the court and still managed 23 points; after a week of settling back into Australia she will be even more dangerous.

Bendigo will be keen to get on top in this game after Adelaide ousted them in the Preliminary Final last season.

HEAD-TO-HEAD: Adelaide 6 – 0 Bendigo

ACUVUE Sydney Uni Flames v Dandenong Jayco Rangers, 7.00pm at ACUVUE Sports Hall, Sydney University Sports and Aquatic Centre

Touted as the team to watch Sydney Uni will be keen to get a win on the board in their first home game of the season after splitting their Perth-Adelaide road trip.

With a very different starting five to 2008/09 the Flames will be hard to beat once they gel with two-time Olympian Suzy Batkovic-Brown, who missed the opening game but posted 29 points against Lightning in her first game in the WNBL since 2002.

The Rangers were defeated by Bendigo in the season opener 70-55 and will be hoping to get more out of American import Ashley Lindsey who went 0-of-7 from the field but grabbed four rebounds in 13 minutes of play. Australian-born Great Britain representative Megan Moody turned in a team high effort in her WNBL debut with 18 points and seven rebounds but she will need more support.

HEAD-TO-HEAD: Sydney Uni 26 - 18 Dandenong

Townsville McCafe Fire v Canberra TransACT Capitals, 7.30pm at New Projects Australia Stadium, Townsville

A revelation last season, Amy Lewis led the scoring last week but Townsville’s strength lies in its depth with all players, with one exception, scoring in double figures last week.

Without 2008/09 All-Star Five member Abby Bishop, Canberra has lost some depth in the post that was exposed against Bulleen but with last year’s leading defensive rebounder Jennifer Crouse retired, Townsville will give Opal Marianna Tolo and veteran Tracey Beatty the chance for big games.

HEAD-TO-HEAD: Canberra 19 – 5 Townsville

Global Metals Bulleen Boomers v Australian Institute of Sport, 7.30pm at The Veneto Club

A large graduating contingent at the AIS has left the students in a tough position.

Former Townsville Fire guard Jillian Haughton led the Institute in their two opening games but the young team did not challenge Logan or Townsville.

Bulleen’s inside pairing of Opals Elyse Penaluna and Liz Cambage will create trouble for any team and the addition of Jenna O’Hea, fresh from a European season, and the emergence of Hanna Zavecz will give opposition teams plenty to worry about.

This game will be broadcast with live audio commentary on WNBL Radio.

HEAD-TO-HEAD: Bulleen 34 – 26 AIS

Sunday October 11

Go for 2 & 5 Perth Lynx v Bendigo Bank Spirit, 1.00pm at Perry Lakes Stadium, Perth

Bendigo will be coming off a tough game against Adelaide Lightning with less than 24 hours to recover and make the trip to Perth.

The Lynx lost game-winner Deanna Smith to Sydney Uni but import Takia Starks showed some good signs with 15 points and five rebounds against the Flames while fellow American Danielle Campbell added 14 points. Victorian Ashley Gilmore continued her fine form from 2008/09 with a double (10 points, 13 rebounds).

Bendigo also lost a player to Sydney Uni, Deanne Butler, but the return of Kristi Harrower and recent signing of Marita Payne gives the Spirit some fire power.

HEAD-TO-HEAD: Bendigo 4 – 2 Perth

Chief Hails Rule Changes

from: basketball.net.au

BA CHIEF HAILS NBL RULE CHANGES AS A SUCCESS

Basketball Australia Chief Executive Officer Larry Sengstock says that the National Basketball League, which tipped off its 32^nd season recently, was maturing as an international league following the introduction of some new rule changes for 2009/10.

Sengstock described the recent rule changes, which include adopting the standard FIBA 10-minute quarters and reducing the number of fouls players are allowed to commit in a game from six to five, as an important step in the growth of the league.

“Our league is now 31 years old and we’re looking to cement our identity,” reflected Sengstock, who was part of the inaugural NBL season in 1979. “I liken it to a young basketballer. In our early years, we were just taking it all in and being influenced by everything around us. In our early teens, we were growing quickly and looking to establish our identity. In our twenties we lost our way a little but now that we’re in our thirties, we’re looking to use all of our experience to establish a mature image that strikes a chord with the wider community.”

Sengstock says that after two rounds of competition under the new rules, the preliminary indications were overwhelmingly positive.

“We have been really pleased with the on-court results thus far in the wake of the rule adjustments, and of the nine games played in the first two rounds all but three were decided by six points or less,” said Sengstock. “No one goes to a sporting event hoping to see a blow-out, so it’s great for the fans that the slightly shortened games are staying closer and providing an even more exciting spectacle. Every single play phase now counts.”

Sengstock said the reduction in player fouls was also having a positive impact.

“With players having one less foul to give per game, defensive players need to be more careful. That’s giving the offensive players more freedom than they’ve had in the past. As a result, over the first nine games scoring is up slightly.

“At the start of the season our clubs all agreed that they wanted our refs to call games more tightly,” Sengstock added. “They’ve been doing just that, and the players are adjusting as expected. It’s resulted in a far more open game than we’ve seen in the past. Although we still want the physicality in the post which is such a great part of the game, we want less wrestling matches and more open court basketball.”

Sengstock said that recent adjustments to establish consistent high quality game presentation levels across the league that included better use of music and entertainment was another effort to make matches even more enjoyable for fans.

“Believe me, I am all for providing entertainment to our fans and the use of ‘sport presentation’ to enhance the action on the floor.” Sengstock said. “Music is a key to that and when used well, has the effect of inspiring players and spectators to greater heights. However we clearly have not managed our entertainment well and some clubs had lost their way.

“While this new league is about a discipline and rigor it is also about making a night out at the basketball an event the whole family will enjoy. We want anyone who has been to the NBL to walk away with a memory that they can keep for life.”

Breakers "even" with Tigers after big home win

The New Zealand Breakers avenged last weeks loss to the Melbourne Tigers with a 79-74 win on home turf last night.

In the absence of Kirk Penney, C.J. Bruton stepped to the fore and carried the NZ attack with 32 points. The Breakers actually trailed for the majority of the contest but relentless defence headed by Tony Ronaldson and Thomas Abercrombie kept them close. Melbourne led at every change, holding a 21-16 edge after one that was stretched to a 39-30 advantage by halftime before it was cut to 54-52 with three quarters done.

Early in the fourth term Bruton connected on two bombs from behind the arc, giving New Zealand an advantage it did not relinquish in a scrappy finish to the match.

Rick Rickert had a 16 point, 8 rebound, 4 assist night in support of Bruton. Ronaldson had 8 points and 4 rebounds to go with his tough post defence while Abercrombie grabbed 5 boards to go with his 8 points.

Sam Mackinnon and Daryl Corletto paced the Tigers with 13 points each and Mark Worthington added 11 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists to the total.

More NBL action is up on the weekend, be sure to have a look.

Malaysia's first team in ASEAN Comp launched

My blog would like to introduce the ASEAN with this initial press release from the KL Dragons.

The Dragons Take Flight

Kuala Lumpur Dragons Emerge As First Malaysian Professional Basketball Club In Asean Basketball League

This October sees the first ever appearance of KL Dragons, Malaysia’s first professional basketball team at the inaugural ASEAN Basketball League (ABL). The stellar cast of basketball players, led by Mr. Goh Cheng Huat is also the first and only team to represent Malaysia in the ABL – an event fully endorsed by the South East Asia Basketball Association (SEABA) and International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Asia.

KL Dragons is the brainchild of three of Malaysia’s very own young successful entrepreneurs: Mr. Ruben Emir Gnanalingam, Dato’ Wira Dani Daim and Dato’ Robin Tan Yeong Ching, who all share a passion for sports and the expansion of basketball in Malaysia. Dato' Robin Tan, on forming KL Dragons said, “Basketball has and continues to be a passion of mine. I have been playing the game since my teenage years and am still actively playing whenever I get the time. When this opportunity to participate in the ABL and the Dragons was presented to me I jumped at the chance as I felt that such an endeavor would expose the sport that I love to many more people in the country and the region. Hopefully the ABL will see this sport gaining the exposure it deserves.”

The KL Dragons aims to create regional platforms of high performance sports and will also be building facilities, infrastructure and developing players’ skills. “We hope to create an alternative avenue for kids to participate in a healthy lifestyle and fuel their passion in striving to be the best by giving them opportunities to become professional players,” Dato’ Wira Dani Daim says, who envisions a future where youths chooses basketball as a profession.

For a start, KL Dragons would be organizing an Under-14 and Under-17 league with the objective of nurturing the youth in basketball, developing them into professional players. With teams from five other different countries such as Brunei, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand and Philippines, KL Dragons sees this as a good opportunity to bring international experience in developing the youth of Kuala Lumpur and also Malaysia.

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The performance of the KL Dragons team would also be watched by millions of others, as the ABL league games will be televised on regional channels such as ESPN and terrestrial televisions in Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines and Malaysia. This would provide a chance for not only Malaysian basketball to further gain exposure on the international level but also our country Malaysia itself. “The ABL through the KL Dragons provide a great opportunity to promote KL, Malaysia, and Malaysian brands. We hope to bring all 600 million people of ASEAN together by showcasing the spirit of the teamwork and sports to overcome any barriers. As a result, we also hope to see an increase in tourists visiting KL and the rest of Malaysia as well,” Mr. Ruben Emir Gnanalingam says.

As the sole team participating from Malaysia, the team has vowed to perform their best and do their nation proud. The public is more than welcome to lend their support by watching KL Dragons play at the ABL; lucky participants may even win amazing prizes during half-times.

ABL’s first season will run from this October until February 2010, starting from the 11^th October ‘09, and KL Dragon's first game would be held at the MABA Stadium, KL on the 14^th of October ‘09 at 7pm till 10pm. Tickets are available via ticket hotline outlets and on their website www.tickethotline.com.my. Alternatively tickets also can be bought through their call centre at 03-77251177 or 03-77251166. Ticket price at RM25 for adult and RM20 for student (below 22years old).

Breakers brace for visit from Tigers

Pre season favourites the New Zealand Breakers will seek revenge for last weeks road loss in Melbourne when they face the Tigers tonight in New Zealand. Unfortunately the task will be more difficult without top gun Kirk Penney who suffered a slipped disc in his back during a Wednesday morning training session. Penney is expected to miss at least a week of NBL action.

With that in mind the Breakers are still hoping to avenge the loss to the Tigers on their home court and will provide stiff competition. All in all I will go out on a limb and pick the Breakers by 3 points in a thriller.

In other Round Three NBL action this week Perth will host the Gold Coast to open the home side of the Wildcats campaign. Look for the Wildcats to be tough in Perth and win by 12 points or more.

Townsville will be without sharp shooter Mark Cedar when they visit Adelaide Friday night. I'm taking Adelaide due to their home court advantage by 6 points or so.

On Saturday night, Townsville will continue their road swing when they drop in on the Melbourne Tigers. Look for the Tigers to win this one by 8 points. The other Saturday night catch will see Cairns visiting Wollongong where the Hawks will prevail by 10 points.

Get out and watch some of the action if you are in any of the areas hosting matches this week. There is always a good atmosphere and a bit of excitement to boot. The NBL, it's Not Bad Lately!!!

Snakes Bite strong at home for third time

The Cairns Taipans pulled away from the Gold Coast Blaze 83-66 for their third win from their last three matches at home on Wednesday night in Cairns.

The snakes withstood a scrappy Blaze outfit to hold a two point quarter time lead at 23-21. With James Harvey and Chris Goulding sitting on the bench due to foul trouble, Phill Jones led a surge that saw the Taipans lead balloon to twelve points mid way through the second term. The teams traded buckets the rest of the way and Cairns led 47-36 at half time.

the sides mirrored one another for the rest of the match as the Gold Coast could not make any major runs at cutting the margin trialing by ten a three quarter and seeing the margin widen towards the end of the match.

New Blaze import Erron Maxey posted 16 points/8 rebounds before fouling out of the contest late in the match on his Australian debut. Julien "Skip" Mills proved to be Mr. Everything for Cairns by dropping in 14 points, grabbing 11 rebounds and dishing out 5 assists.

Jones was the leading scorer for the Taipans with 23 points in support of Mills' effort. Additional help came from Dusty Rychart 12 points/5 rebounds, Kerry Williams with 12 points and Richard Melzer with 7 points/9 rebounds.

Harvey led the way for the Gold Coast with 17 points with support from Adam Gibson who scored 15 points and Chris Goulding chipped in with 10 points along with Maxey's input.