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A while back (more like a few days ago), I made a very bold claim in response to a blog post on Mislan’s PemainBolaKeranjang Blog and it read:

Phoenix listed as Young Guns?
Phoenix listed in the same group group as with Archers, Benchwarmers, J3, Prinze, Swoosh 3, UBSA? … oh boy.. you will be surprised..

Mark my words – they will be in the Finals…

Of course, everybody thought I was nuts. I was putting my “reputation” on the line for a young and inexperienced NCBL Division 2 (saje) Champion.

Sunday night, 7 March, Phoenix vs Swoosh I. KLNC 2010 grouping game in MABA. An early indication that could save or destroy my reputation.

The crowd was pleased alright.

Final score: Phoenix 56, Swoosh I 59

My response..

I TOLD YOU SO!

Sure, Swoosh I won the game. No disputes there. But if you watched the game, Phoenix has what it takes to be a Championship contender.

So start following the Setiawangsa Phoenix. Watch their games. Buy their merchandise

Let’s have a look at why I’m saying Phoenix is a Championship Contender:

1) A Winning Coach

Mr. Badrul Hisham can say “been there, done that”. His coaching resume would include these accomplishments:

• 2005 (Pegasus)
  Runner-up Selangor MB Cup
• 2006 (Pegasus)
  Runner-up MB Cup
  Champion NCBL
• 2006 (Pegasus)
  Champion MB Cup
  Champion NCBL
• 2008 (Pegasus)
  Runner-up NCBL
• 2009 (Phoenix)
  Champion NCBL Division II
• 2009 (Kuala Lumpur Non-Chinese Team)
  Runner-Up MABA Petronas Cup

If the NC Community has a Hall of Fame, Coach Sham should be one of the inductees.

2) Young yet Experienced Players

Yes, they are young. By default, young = no experience. WRONG!

While most (if not all) of the players are younger than 25 yrs old, they have tons of experience individually. Their stars – Belle, Gun-D & Fendi has featured in many tournaments prior to 2009. Petronas Cup, MASUM and others, they’ve been there. So they’re no pushovers, at least in terms of individual development.

Last but Not Least…

3) Homecourt Competition is Good

Ask the boys and they will tell you playing Big Brother in Setiawangsa has helped. Who is the Big Brother you ask..

Who else? Pegasus lah!

There you go. That’s why I say Phoenix is damn-Good, and they’re a team to watch for KLNC 2010.

The schedule is finally out for the KLNC 2010!  Download the full schedule below:

DOWNLOAD KLNC 2010 MATCH SCHEDULE

Here are the games for Week 1 of the KLNC 2010 which will be played on Saturday 6 March & Sunday 7 March 2010. All games are played in the MABA Stadium, Jalan Hang Jebat Kuala Lumpur.

6th March Saturday

2.00pm: J3 (A) vs Phantoms A
3.30pm: Swoosh 2 vs Phantoms B
5.00pm: Soul Speed vs J3 (B)
6.30pm: Swoosh 3 vs Prinze
8.00pm: Malaya Titans vs KPTM
9.30pm: Snipers vs Cocoro

Sunday, 7th March 2010

10.00am: Zero vs Hurricanes
11.30am: Venom vs Soul Speed
1.00pm: Arions vs Pegasus

2.30pm: Opening Ceremony – All teams must be present with at least 10 persons in the line up

3.30pm: Phantoms A vs Cocoro
5.00pm: SDAR vs Cons
6.30pm: Scorekeys vs Swoosh 3
8.00pm: Phoenix vs Swoosh 1
9.30pm: UiTM Perak vs Swoosh 2

Teams mentioned first are the home team, and will be wearing a light colored/white jersey.

"The future is now, but is it for the Good or for the Worse?"

First off, let’s thread back to a bold claim a few weeks ago from El-Kapitan Jijun & Big Boss:

LINEUP PEGASUS KLNC 2010

Team Chairman, Director, CEO, Manager: CUZ
Team Coach: PAIE
Players:
4. Arip Katik (former Scorekeys)
5. Izzat
6. Belle (former Setiawangsa Phoenix)
7. Ajim
8. Aboy
9. Jijun
10. Shafik Gun-D (former Setiawangsa Phoenix)
11. Kei
12. Bobo (former ATM)
13. Amin
14. Bo
15. Adin (former Cons)

You’re asking yourself – Where’s Masri? Where’s Panje? 2 very solid centers missing form the lineup is a big deal. It’s like having 2 Burj Dubai’s side by side, only to have it missing one day and later found in Los Angeles (just so Obama can have something worth mentioning)

Yup, it’s true & it is confirmed, Masri & Panje is gone from Pegasus, and are now plying their trade for the Mighty Swoosh. If the center position is Swoosh’s weak spot all these years, they have patched it up this year, and patched it up real good.

But El-Kapitan & Big Boss wasn’t worried, coz the addition of Arip Katek, Belle, Shafik Gun-D and Adin should add more speed & firepower to the lineup, and these players are rock-solid contributors on both offense & defense. So confident they were that they made a bold statement on Facebook and let their lineup & intention known.

So the KLNC 2010 Managers came & went, and this is the final lineup for Pegasus as per the submitted form:

Team Manager: CUZ
Team Coach: PAIE
Players:
4 – Shahril
5 – Izzat
6 – John
7 – Ajim
8 – Aboy
9 – El-Kapitan Jijun
11 – Fitri “Kuda”
12 – Adin
13 – Amin
14 – Bobo
15 – Bo
16 – Poknik

Yup, you read it right… and you say

“Hey… some names are missing! Where’s the Phoenix duo, Arip Katek & Kei?”

No typo here kids. That is the finalized lineup, and that is Pegasus’s 12 for KLNC 2010.

No speedy-immortal-scorers-with-unlimited-stamina in the lineup.

No Belle, No Shafik Gun-D, and No Arip Katek.

No Hope? ……

Will Pegasus lose its wings and fall from grace?