Coach K: Equal chances will be given

THE time is now to select the "15-strong" where only the best would be selected and developed to represent the Sultanate.

The Brunei Basketball Association (BBA) yesterday revealed the pre-selected players that will undergo intensive training to be selected for the 13th Borneo City Men's Basketball Invitational Tournament 2011 in Kota Kinabalu from August 4-7.

National basketball coach Kevin Reece has previously said that the team had three to four slots open for other players to go along with those that have been regularly in the national training scheme.

However, it will be a make or break situation with all cagers given the same opportunity to make it onto the roster.

"It was a list made up by the BBA and the national team committee. The job was to select these players to give them an equal opportunity," said Reece in an interview with The Brunei Times yesterday.

"It is transparent now that anybody can give it a shot as the tryout is open. It is now up to them to turn up for training and compete for a spot in the squad," he added.

"The door has always been open for everyone to join the training scheme. Some of them have been approached in the past and they are either too busy or had no time to make it to training but this is their chance," continued the American.

The national coach also emphasised that no one will be treated unfairly in any way and that only bringing their 'A' game would gurantee them a spot.

"There has never been a time where we denied any player to try out. We have even gone out to persuade some players to come and join us but couldn't get results," he said.

"There are no politics on our side as whoever comes and meets the criteria of being fit and able to compete at the level needed will be chosen," he added.

"Everyone is on the same playing field now and those who can produce the good and work in the system will get their chance to be selected," continued the Los Angeles native.

The players on the list were chosen based on their performance at the Aewon Cup 2011 held in May.

Le doux Patisserie/ Sia N Tang Music won the competition after defeating Chevrolet Cruze 80-73 in the final.

All the players on the roster of the champions Foo Gwen Tong, Benjamin Lim, Ching Wei Ming, Cavan Kong, Po Yung Hui, Choo Yung Jian, Ben Sim, Yap Chun Ping, Soon Kian Leong, Jong Guo Zhang, Md Zainul Ashyraf Hj Hussin, Jon Lee and Kenny Lim were pre-selected to make it into the main team since they are the core players from the national training.

They will begin their usual training today at the BBA court.

The duo of Esmond Tan and Fong Yeh Leong were selected from Cruze while Goh Kiat Chun, who is more popularly known as Wu Chun, is the only cager from Le Apple Bakery.

Shim Jan Ting and Tan Ye Wei were selected from Auto Experts while Yong Kui Seng, Koh Wee Chian, Tan Kah Boon, Paul Wong, Ang Ching Sing and Ak Md Faizuladzmi Pg Tajuddin were those selected from Yun Lee Motor Workshop.

Four players Leong Ming Seng, Liew Chee Hau, brothers Fang Bo Jun and Fang Bo Yuan were chosen from Lian Fu Restaurant and to complete the list were Ahmad Termizi bin Hj Noordeen, Lim Liang Wei, Lim Ling Wen, Liew Ming Yang, Md Jamri Ramlee, Yeo Chun Kiat and brothers Hj Md Rahmat and Hj Md Badr Hj Suhaili of Brunei United Ballers (BUB).

The BBA has called upon those pre-selected to attend a pre-training briefing at the BBA court in Batu Bersurat next Monday at 7pm.

More information can be obtained by contacting Wira at 8668855 or Ang at 8897449.

The Brunei Times