Jurumas – Champions of MK Group Cup 2017

Easyway, Easyway. Easy way. It was supposed to read three-peat in the headlines but it was not meant to be. Defending champions Easyway was dethroned by Juramas convincingly 113-99 in the final of the MK Group Cup aka Sultan’s Cup 2017 last Sunday.

Avery Scharer has been the man on fire in the tournament along with Justin Howard, both imports from Easyway. The former champions recorded the biggest scoring margin in the tournament when they beat CK & Associates 152-35 in the group stage. Avery even reached triple double scores during the semi-final game last Friday while Justin has been dominant on the boards averaging at least 20 rebounds and in the range of 30s for the points.

However, their efforts of 37 points (Justin) and 32 points (Avery) were not enough to topple the cohesive unit of Jurumas. Their opponent steamrolled in the first quarter and rushed to a 7-2 lead to set the pace. Even when Easyway found their way back to the game, Jurumas was very consistent in their field goal conversions.

It was not surprised that Jurumas closed the first quarter with a healthy lead of 36-24. It was the locals playing for Jurumas that made the difference. Efu (Aik Hock) and Esmond Tan had a very cohesive partnership while on court. The efficient Efu made some steals and created fast breaks which were converted successfully by Esmond.

The second quarter was a chance for Easyway to come back. They have the squad and the experience to do so. However, Jurumas’ game plan worked defensively. Easyway gave away too many turnovers and if I looked back now, this was the defining moment as Easyway couldn’t muster a comeback even with their depth of squad and experience. At half time, the score was 63-44 to Jurumas, thanks to Udun Osakue, Esmond and Efu combo.

Efu (Aik Hock) of Jurumas was instrumental in their defence

Avery Scharer of Easyway has been dominating the scoring charts and still continued his dominance in the finals but it wasn’t enough

1st Runner up – Easyway

2nd Runner up – YTE

Half time performance

The introduction of Geve Leones from the Easyway bench didn’t pay off. I truly admire him when he was on court a few years ago. He did his best last Sunday but couldn’t bring back same flair he had back then. He suffered a bad fall after clashing with Benjamin Lim in the final quarter but it wasn’t serious as it looked.

Coming to the 3rd quarter, I was hoping for a comeback, a miracle as I never liked a one-sided game. I wanted to see a competitive fight. I even heard that Avery changed back to this Kobe sneakers and sported a head band after half time. Who knows if that could changed things around.

The script remained the same as Jurumas maintained their tempo on the court. I was hoping to see more of the young talent Marcus on the court after missing many minutes in the first half. Appeared he did and he managed to get on the score board. Darren Chai was introduced to mark Udun but he had an ineffective defensively display against the on-form Udun. He was replaced after receiving two personal fouls in a space of a few minutes.

Carl Montgomery, another import of Jurumas, shined in the second half. He kept winning offensive rebounds and converting them along the way. His counterpart Justin Howard was struggling to cope with the pace and made it easy for Jurumas to win offensive rebounds.

I knew Easyway’s fate was sealed after the end of the third quarter as the score board read Jurumas 95 Easyway 73. Who could have predicted that scoreline? I was expecting a close fight. While Easyway imports still made an impressive scores, it was their local team mates that couldn’t deliver on the offensive. The locals including Geve Leones, Francis and Marcus Quirk combined only 30% of the points contributed where as Jurumas’ local players contributed 40% to the final score.

Udun Osakue of Jurumas was named MVP after scoring a game high 38 points while his team mate Carl Montgomery mustered 31 points. Esmond Tan was the highest local scorer with 18 points followed by Lim Liang Wei with 12 points.

It is back to the drawing board for Easyway to reflect back what went wrong in the finals. They may have dominated the tournament with their offensive display and high scoring games but it was Jurumas who earned the bragging rights as the champions of the Sultan’s Cup 2017.

Well done to Jurumas for their cohesive team work especially in defence. You deserved to be champions.

I would also like to thank Brunei Basketball Association especially Wira and coach Dragon for the info, logistics and hospitality. The event was well organised and I could see improvements from previous years. There are still room for improvements but this is already a good start. Keep it up!!!

The anniversary cake done by Mr. Baker’s Shop

His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah binti Pengiran Haji Salleh Ab Rahaman receiving a token of appreciation from Stephen Ong, Chairman of St Andrew’s School Board of Governors and Jane Keasberry, Principal of St. Andrew’s School.

St. Andrew’s School (SAS) alumni from as far as London, Hong Kong, Melbourne and Singapore, flew into the country to attend the school’s Diamond Jubilee Alumni Gala Dinner yesterday night at the Plenary Hall of International Convention Centre (ICC) in Berakas.

His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah binti Pengiran Haji Salleh Ab Rahaman, who were also former students of the school, graced the dinner.

Their Royal Highnesses were greeted upon arrival by Chairman of St Andrew’s School Board of Governors, Stephen Ong and Principal Jane Keasberry.

The colourful evening started with the welcoming address by the principal followed with another speech by Ong after which Their Royal Highnesses were ushered to the cake cutting ceremony to mark the event.

Keasberry in her welcoming address among others noted that the gala dinner is a platform for meeting up and reconnecting with former classmates, teachers and staff of the school.

She pointed out that with the formal schooling (foundational-secondary years) provided at SAS, each one of the students can testify to the strong foundation received from their alma mater.

“Education at SAS has made us what we are now with many of us serving and holding key positions in the community and contributing strongly to the development of Brunei Darussalam.”

SAS began with 70 boys and girls 60 years ago in January 1957 and it was founded by the late Reverend Canon Paul Chong En Siong who together with his daughters Margaret, Kathleen and Grace, were the first teachers in the makeshift “school”, at the back of the St Andrew’s church vicarage.

The Crown Prince’s former classmates

Her Royal Highness Princess Sarah’s former classmates

Singing the national anthem

Sharing a light moment during dinner

Their Royal Highnesses with Jane Keasberry

Former SAS students with Stephen Ong

With Cikgu Chong

Our junior, junior huhu

The happening table among the lot

Still best friends after a long time

Over time, the first chairman of the Board of Governors, Dato Ong Kim Kee generously donated a piece of land and the first set of classrooms with wooden floors and walls were built on this site and later with generous funding from parents and other kind individuals, more classrooms were added.

St Andrew’s School, with the hard work of the former and current Board of Governors, principals and senior management team, has grown to 1,710 students in strength with 106 teachers and staff, Keasberry said adding that it will continue to grow from strength to strength with continued support from the community.

The dinner also saw a slide show presentation as well as several stage performances including a tribute by the alumnus.

Their Royal Highness also consented to a group photo session with the Board of Governors and School Management team as well as a tour of the exhibition booths displayed at the hallway. Text courtesy of Lyna Mohd of Borneo Bulletin.

With our former teacher Normah

Our batch

Another junior of ours

Back in the late 50s

The performers from St. Andrew’s School

Singing the school song

Hello Elva. Here was where we sign our memories

Rano’s take: Definitely I had a great time catching with my buddies from my class with Pg. Anak Ali and Rashid @ Rupert and not forgetting our former teachers from the school, Mrs. Ong (Maths), Mr. Chong (Malay and now Deputy Principal), Ms. Normah (Malay) and ever bubbly Mrs. Shafee (history). It was good to see familiar faces though our batch didn’t turn up that much and I was amazed that some of the people that I know used to be in SAS.

Of course, the most sought for teacher was Mrs. Shafee and it was funny to see her frowning when she tried to recall her former student names, tracking back to the 80s and the 90s. For sure, she still remembers me as we tend to bump to each other once in a while or so. She definitely has touched many lives of our students and shaped to where they are now. A big thank you to all the teachers who played parts in our lives too.

The only person that I really wanted to see or meet was Mr. Koshy, our Maths teacher and also the Principal of SAS back then. He had the biggest cheers when his picture popped up on the screen. I hope he’s in good health.

Thank you, Stephen Ong, for your hospitality and we all had a wonderful evening. The legacy continues in St. Andrew’s School and I’m already seeing better things happening in SAS. Keep up the great work!!

Vincent Pao, General Manager of Concepts Computer, announced great deals for Acer products. All you need to do is present an evidence of any milestone or landmark of 50 years

50 years is an amazing landmark in any context: 50 years of marriage, 50 years of service, and even 50 years old. It’s a golden landmark, and Concepts is eager to celebrate it with their customers. Which is why Concepts Computer is offering amazing deals for those with a 50 year landmark by offering great prices for 7 models of Acer notebooks to help honour the 50.

As portability and affordability are the keywords for the new IT era, these are also key in being able to adapt to many changing and demanding needs of Bruneian IT consumers, especially those over 50 years of age. Refueling a new era of IT usage is the resurgence of the older generation in trying out new technology, to fit into the ever changing landscape of a modern world. Therefore, these Acer laptops will include models with great performace and great portability; lightweight 13” notebooks, and even 17” workhorses, from very affordable Pentium Quad-Core performers, to powerful i7 workstation. Concepts Computers together with Acer will also be offering affordable desktops for those looking for a home work-station.

First on the block is the Acer Aspire ES1-432, available for $398, usual price $478. It’s a modest 14” notebook, perfect for educational purposes or as a general-use computer for the home office. With 4GB of RAM and 500GB HD space, the Acer Aspire ES1-432 can go through school or office work, while also be used for social media and general internet surfing. Next we have a multimedia notebook, with the 15” screen, it is perfect for watching movies and streaming Youtube videos, the Acer Aspire E5-575G will be available for $688 only, usual price $948. We also have the Aspire S5-371 available for $968, usual price $1,238, a very sleek and powerful notebook, only 13” and weighing barely over 1kg with6 hours battery life, the Acer Aspire E5-575G is the answer for ultra-mobility.

Concepts Computer and Acer will also be offering a trio of desktops; high-powered Intel i5 processors, 1TB HDD and build-in wireless internet connection, everything that can satisfy the desktop needs of user who are looking for a work-station for thei home office or for their SME business.

First for desktops is the Acer Aspire XC780-6400W10, available for $588, usual price $748, at $1,238. Next is the Acer Aspire TC-780-6400W10, another work-station available that can satisfy any office needs, cost is $668, usual cost $788. And lastly, the Acer Aspire XC-780-6400W10D, available for $688, usual price is $818. All 3 models will have an i5 Intel processor, enough power to keep-up with any workload in the office. And to make it convenient for our golden generation to do work, just for this special promo, Concepts will also have the large- screen and bright Acer KA241 24” monitor, availble for $178, a great combination with any of the previously listed desktops.

Check out the products from Acer that are discounted

Some notebooks have special discounts from $100 to $400 plus off

Vincent Pao, General Manager of Concepts Computer said, “Concepts will always try to be in the forefront of the IT market in Brunei which is why we’re offering these models at great prices for the golden generation.” He continued, “The golden generation would benefit a lot from being IT savvy, giving them the ability to be connected to social media, even giving the chance to be a gamer, bringing them closer to the younger generations.”

Zul Abdul Rahman, Marketing Executive of Concepts Computer added, “With the help of Acer, we would like to bring the latest technologies into the Bruneian IT market at very affordable prices, without sacrificing quality. So this promotion was an easy decision to make.” Zul aslo added, “And with today’s society, technology is prevalent in everyday life, this is also a chance to offer our golden generation the best devices out there at very affordable prices.”

For more information on the other Acer models on offer for the golden generation, please call 2233551, 2233552 or 2233553, or visiti your nearest Concepts Computer showroom.

Audi has recently extended its Q family with a compact SUV. The Audi Q2 is an urban-type vehicle for everyday driving and recreation, bundling a progressive design and great driving pleasure with a high level of functionality. Connectivity, infotainment and assistance systems are on the level of the full-size category

Looking for something exciting to do this weekend? Meet the car that won gold in Germany’s Biggest Ladies’ Choice and was awarded the Red Dot: Best of the Best Award for its superior design quality and trendsetting design. Happening this weekend, Audi Brunei will be hosting a test drive event that is open to the public for everyone to experience the all new #untaggable Audi Q2!

The Audi Q2 is a small crossover compact SUV that comes with loads of exciting features such as the LED lighting inlays which are changeable up to 10 color choices creating a more personal feel. Also another highlight feature of the Audi Q2 is the progressive steering which makes the Audi Q2 to have a greater direct steering response. This provides a greater precision with less effort for easier maneuvers into parking spots and around corners. You may also want to experience the Audi drive select which is available in the Audi Q2. The Audi drive select allows you to alter the character and handling of the Audi Q2. Available modes is the Auto, Comfort, Dynamic and Efficiency – each adjusting the steering weight and throttle response to suit your driving style and road conditions.

The weekend showroom test-drive event will be held on the 5th and 6th of August 2017 from 9am until 4pm at the Audi showroom in Kiarong. Members of the public are welcome to test-drive not only the Audi Q2 but other available Audi models as well. Personally I’ve driven the Audi Q2 and so much to love about it.

Standard in the Q2 is a 5.8-inch MMI screen that is positioned high up on the instrument panel. The infotainment system can be operated by a rotary/push-button control and two buttons on the center tunnel

The Audi Q2 is a powerful SUV that exhibits a very distinct character. At the front, a strong image is created by the Singleframe grill in octagonal design that is positioned up high as well as by the large air inlets

Especially eye-catching is the low roof that descends and merges into the C-pillars with color offset blades. This contrast accentuates the sportiness of the Audi Q2

Audi driver Lucas di Grassi is the new champion of the worldwide Formula E electric racing series. After taking the lead of the standings with a lights-to-flag victory in the first of the two final races in Montreal (Canada), the Brazilian from Team ABT Schaeffler Audi Sport wrapped up the title on taking seventh place on Sunday.

Di Grassi had arrived in Canada for the final weekend with a ten-point deficit to Renault driver Sébastian Buemi. While the Swiss was ostensibly tense and, following an accident in free practice, had a horrible day on Saturday, di Grassi made no mistakes and converted his deficit with his pole position and lights-to-flag victory in an 18-point advantage.

On Sunday, di Grassi and his teammate Daniel Abt started from the third row while Buemi only took position 14 in qualifying. Following a turbulent starting phase, di Grassi and Abt dropped to positions nine and ten some of the time but, also thanks to clever energy management, were able to fight back to positions six and seven. As a result, Team ABT Schaeffler Audi Sport secured the vice-championship in the teams’ classification as well.

“Today is the best day in my career,” the new Formula E Champion enthused after the race. “I’ve believed in Formula E from day one because the world, including motorsport, is changing. Three years ago, we won the first Formula E race in Beijing and now finally the title as well. ABT Sportsline, Schaeffler and Audi Sport have done a perfect job – not least after the races in New York where we weren’t so strong. Here in Montreal, on the best race track Formula E has ever seen, we were fast from the beginning.”

Following third place in Formula E’s inaugural year and the vice-championship last year, Lucas di Grassi is the third champion in the world’s first all-electric racing series and, with a total of six victories and 20 podium results in 33 races, one of the most successful Formula E campaigners. In the 2016/2017 season, the Audi driver won two races, clinched three pole positions and seven podium places in twelve races. Only in Paris, di Grassi scored no points. In the end, this consistency was decisive in the title race, although his comebacks at the season opener in Hong Kong and on clinching victory in Mexico will remain equally unforgotten.

“For me, Lucas di Grassi is currently the most complete driver in Formula E,” says Head of Audi Motorsport Dieter Gass. “What he showed in Montreal on Saturday was simply fantastic. After New York, there probably weren’t a lot of people expecting him to be able to turn the tables in the title race anymore. But Lucas never gave up for even a second and continually motivated the whole squad to deliver top performances. The entire team around Hans-Jürgen Abt and Thomas Biermaier did an outstanding job and Daniel Abt, who was beaten a little below his potential this year, drove strong races in Montreal too. This has been a tremendous finale and a good week on the whole for Formula E. That, after BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche are going to follow us into this forward-thinking racing series underlines the growing importance of fully electric motorsport. I’m already looking forward to the opener of the new Formula E season in Hong Kong in December when our factory-backed commitment opens up a new chapter in Audi’s motorsport history. With ABT and Schaeffler as our partners we’re in a very good position in the increasingly tougher competition.”

Lucas di Grassi was born in São Paulo on August 11, 1984 and lives in Monaco together with his wife, Bianca. The Brazilian won the prestigious Formula 3 Grand Prix in Monaco in 2005 and was active in Formula 1 as a test and race driver before joining Audi in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) in 2012 and mounting the podium in the Le Mans 24 Hours three times. As a test driver from day one, he helped make Formula E reality. Now, he is its new champion.