Chuon Tze Twisters hope to spring a surprise
By Benny Ang

Bandar Seri Begawan - The Chuon Tze Twisters may be the underdogs going into the 3rd Shell Rimula Ultra Invitational Challenge Trophy Basketball Tournament 2003 but that suits them just fine as they prepare to sneak up on a few teams.

Made up predominantly of players from Taiwan as well as one American import and two Filipino collegiate stars, this team remains somewhat of an unknown quantity heading into the tournament.

Even their own team owner Chen Wen Yi has no idea just how his players will cope in this tournament but is happy with the way things have worked out so far.

"We are a company that has its origins in Taiwan so when the chance came up for us to enter this tournament, it was always our intention to promote Taiwanese basketball.

"We obviously feel we have a team that will be competitive in this tournament and will compete in the good spirit of sportsmanship. We are very proud to be in this tournament and will give it everything we have," said Wen Yi.

Their American import Chris Brooks has yet to land in Brunei and his origins remain a mystery up to now but he will almost definitely be a star player to bolster their ranks.

He will arrive on Friday just in time to join his team and they will need his added firepower very soon.

Chuon Tze open up their campaign on opening night against defending champions Suncity Dragons and it's anyone's guess as to how the two teams will match up.

For one Suncity has changed virtually all of their team while nobody knows just how Chuon Tze will fare over the next two weeks.

"It could work for us and it could work against us. The fact that nobody is quite sure of our players is something that could be an advantage.

"We're not even sure how we will match up. But one thing is for sure, we will give everything we have," added the Chuon Tze owner.

The other two players on the Chuon Tze roster are Arden Guiyab and Unik Reyes, both still at college in Philippines but touted as stars of the future.

For added impact, Chuon Tze have also imported a former national Taiwan coach in Ku Chi Siong and the coach will have the arduous task of mixing in so many players from three different countries.

But the common language is basketball and when any five players are on the floor it won't matter what language they speak. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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