Bumiputera ready to prove their worth

LIGA BUMIPUTERA are ready to showcase what they got when they take on Beaver Engineering for the regular seven stars category of the LBC Cup tonight at the Brunei Basketball Association court in Batu Bersurat.

"We are ready for the game. I've been putting the players through the normal drills and teaching them the game situations just to keep them in touch," said Hj Md Sofrian Hj Md Yusof, coach of Liga Bumiputera.

When asked on what he thought of his opponents, Hj Md Sofrian said: "I haven't really seen the way they play. But I know that it'll be a hard match. However, this will be a good test for the players to gain some tournament experience."

Liga Bumiputera will be banking on Hj Md Rahmat Hj Suhaili, their only player on the team with two stars, to deliver and steer them to victory.

"I'm ready to step it up together with my teammates. We'll have to rely on our teamwork and communication and hopefully we can put up a good game and probably cook up a win," said Hj Md Rahmat.

The all-Malay team competed in the 38 years old and above category of the 3rd Manjaro Cup as a guest team last month sweeping all their games. However, the team will be missing other key players such as Ahmad Termizi Hj Nordeen, Zainul Ashyraf Hj Hussin and Ikram Damit who are away for their studies and busy with work commitments.

Meanwhile, Tony De Vera, coach of Beaver Engineering, will head into the match full of confidence after their 82-46 mauling of the Menglait All-Stars in their opening game last Saturday. "We're always confident of getting a win but what I told the players was for them to play as a team as no one can win without teamwork," said De Vera when contacted yesterday.

However, De Vera, is a bit weary going up against the only non-Filipino team in the tournament. "This is the first time we will play against them. I know that they can play well as told by my players. They have quite some tall players give them the height advantage but we'll definitely put up a nice game against them," said De Vera.

Beaver Engineering will be spearheaded by Vincent Superio with his sharp shooting abilities.

The game is expected to tip off at 7pm followed by one of the tournament favourites, ABMS, going up against El Tigre Marshalls in Group A at 8.30pm.The Brunei Times