Chris Commons(#24) of Brunei Barracudas, going for a lay-up against the Singapore Slingers during their match yesterday. Picture: BT/ Rudolf Portillo
Bong Ramos, Brunei Barracuda's head coach, giving instructions during their match against Singapore Slingers at the Indoor Stadium of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex in Berakas. Picture: BT/ Rudolf Portillo
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.
When asked about the overall performance of the Singapore outfit, the Filipino replied: "It's good but we're not at 100 per cent yet. I believe that we can play better. The Barracudas are also good especially that they are under the guidance of coach Bong (Ramos) who has got a lot of experience."
Only three players hit double figures for the Slingers with American import Skinner leading the way with 25 points. His compatriot Jeffers contributed a double-double with 17 points and 13 boards while Avenido added 15 points in the victory.
Commons tallied a game-high of 37 points to pace the Barracudas while Ramsey Williams added 15 points and Chester Tolomia scored 11 to a losing effort.
The Slingers got off to a fast start to open up a 12-4 lead after four minutes in the opening period. A timeout for Ramos worked wonders for the Barracudas as they went on a 9-0 run to take the lead at 13-12 with three minutes left in the quarter. Both sides toned down a little but it was the Slingers that took a 16-15 lead into the second period.
The second quarter belonged to Commons as he utilised his height advantage to full potential. He was posting up his opponents and making things look easy to score at will, enroute for 16 points in the period. However, the visitors picked up at the defensive end to spark eight unanswered points towards the end for a 38-36 advantage at halftime.
The Barracudas came out playing man-to-man defence but it was Skinner who stole the show. He was dueling with Commons as both imports carried their respective teams on offence. The home side were leading 53-47 but the momentum shifted after Garnett picked up his fourth personal foul with two minutes to play in the third. Rebounds became a problem for Brunei's first professional team and the Slingers regained the lead at 56-55 going into the final stanza.
The Slingers outrebounded their opponents 43-36 and dominated the paint by outscoring the Barracudas 46-36.
The Barracudas are now holding a 2-5 win-loss record while the Slingers are on 4-3.
The next game for the Barracudas will see them play hosts to the Thailand Slammers on Saturday.
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.
When asked about the overall performance of the Singapore outfit, the Filipino replied: "It's good but we're not at 100 per cent yet. I believe that we can play better. The Barracudas are also good especially that they are under the guidance of coach Bong (Ramos) who has got a lot of experience."
Only three players hit double figures for the Slingers with American import Skinner leading the way with 25 points. His compatriot Jeffers contributed a double-double with 17 points and 13 boards while Avenido added 15 points in the victory.
Commons tallied a game-high of 37 points to pace the Barracudas while Ramsey Williams added 15 points and Chester Tolomia scored 11 to a losing effort.
The Slingers got off to a fast start to open up a 12-4 lead after four minutes in the opening period. A timeout for Ramos worked wonders for the Barracudas as they went on a 9-0 run to take the lead at 13-12 with three minutes left in the quarter. Both sides toned down a little but it was the Slingers that took a 16-15 lead into the second period.
The second quarter belonged to Commons as he utilised his height advantage to full potential. He was posting up his opponents and making things look easy to score at will, enroute for 16 points in the period. However, the visitors picked up at the defensive end to spark eight unanswered points towards the end for a 38-36 advantage at halftime.
The Barracudas came out playing man-to-man defence but it was Skinner who stole the show. He was dueling with Commons as both imports carried their respective teams on offence. The home side were leading 53-47 but the momentum shifted after Garnett picked up his fourth personal foul with two minutes to play in the third. Rebounds became a problem for Brunei's first professional team and the Slingers regained the lead at 56-55 going into the final stanza.
The Slingers outrebounded their opponents 43-36 and dominated the paint by outscoring the Barracudas 46-36.
The Barracudas are now holding a 2-5 win-loss record while the Slingers are on 4-3.
The next game for the Barracudas will see them play hosts to the Thailand Slammers on Saturday.
courtesy of--The Brunei Times
Nice one!
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