The two teams first met on 11 October at the Singapore Indoor Stadium where the Singapore Slingers won the match 87 – 69 against the Brunei Barracudas. Their second meeting was at the Brunei Indoor Stadium, where the Barracudas put up a tough fight, only allowing the Slingers a 2 point lead, ending the match 80 – 82.

Today the Barracudas sent in Michael Pilgrim, Francis Adriano, Celedon Camaso, Leonidaz Avenido and Reggie Larry as their starting lineup against Singapore Slingers Michael LeBlanc, Kyle Jeffers, Marcus Ng, Al Vergara and Hong Wei Jian,

Barracudas Michael Pilgrim won the jumpball against Slingers’ Kyle Jeffers but Slingers’ Hong Wei Jian opened scoring for the team.  The Slingers continued to power their way, and with 7 minutes left to the first quarter, were leading with 10 points. The Barracudas quickly caught up, but Slingers emerged leaders of the first quarter which ended 27 – 16 against the Barracudas.

The Slingers continued to have a 14 point lead over the Barracudas at half time, and the Slingers maintained their lead in the third quarter, which ended 71 – 56 against the Barracudas.

In the fourth quarter, the Barracudas picked up the pace, but it was too late to take back the match, and the Slingers won the match 95 – 89 against the Barracudas.

Barracudas Team Manager Benny Ang was disappointed with today’s outcome but credited the Barracudas’ players for not giving up “We feel disappointed for the droves of fans who came out and packed the stadium to support the Barracudas, as they were expecting history in the making. It is now a nervous 3 day wait as we head towards the match against the Philippine Patriots and await the outcome of the KL Dragons match against Satria Muda BritAma”.

Regardless of today’s loss, Benny holds great hope for basketball in Brunei “The Barracudas would like to thank the founders of ABL as it has allowed us to show that there is life in basketball in Brunei”.

Today’s result leaves the Barracudas with equal points as the KL Dragons, and the two teams fight for the final playoff spot. With KL Dragons going up against Satria Muda BritAma at the BritAma Arena, Jakarta on 23 January and the Brunei Barracudas going up against Philippine Patriots at the Ynares Sports Arena on 24 January, it seems both teams will have to work hard if they are to make it to playoffs.

 For more information, please contact Mr Kuhan Foo, Chief Executive Officer of the ASEAN Basketball League at email kuhan@aseanbasketballleague.com, or Samantha Surin, Marketing at +6016 219 8847 or email samantha@aseanbasketballleague.com.