Avenido looking forward to Brunei return

Picture: Courtesy of Lee Suening

Yee Chun Leong
BANDAR SERI BEGWAN

LEO Avenido is looking forward to make his long-awaited return to playing for a Brunei-based professional basketball team once again.

The 41-year-old has verbally agreed to play for Pegasus in the Thailand Basketball Super League (TBSL) from Feb 15 - March 22 next year.

It has been a decade since the Filipino guard laced up for the now-defunct Brunei Barracudas in the inaugural season of the ASEAN Basketball League (ABL) and he felt it was the right choice for a return.

“It is no wonder that I chose a Brunei team because I want to go back where I started playing outside of the Philippines 10 years ago when I played for the Brunei Barracudas in the first season of the ABL,” said Avenido in an interview with BruSports News yesterday.

“However, I’m not the same Leo Avenido as before because you all know I’m a bit old now but basketball is my passion and I will continue playing no matter what. 

“My main thing going back to Brunei is that I want to share my experience playing basketball to the young guys there,” he added. 

“But of course winning is always the number one reason for playing basketball and to show what you are capable of on the court to help the team,” continued 6’2 guard.

Avenido has got plenty of accolades under his belt after playing six seasons in the ABL amassing 1627 points.

He won the title once and is the the first and only recipient of the ABL Lifetime Achievement award. He was also named in the ABL all-time top-10 players recently.

“I’m always thankful for everything that has happened to me. The award represents my identity as an ASEAN player who has played at the highest level possible throughout my career,” said Avenido.

“For now I hope I can make an impact for this upcoming league since this is a new new role and challenge,” he added.

He also went on to thank the founder of Pegasus, Samuel Jong, for the chance to lace up for his side.

“Special thanks to boss Sam for this opportunity. He was just 15 years old back then when he saw me playing and now 10 years later, he still believes in me and I appreciate the love. All the best for us,” said Avenido.

Meanwhile, Jong highlighted that experience is the key factor for his choosing Avenido as one of the ASEAN imports for his team.

“It is because he is an ABL Veteran, a champion and an MVP. People in the region know him,” said Jong.

“I believe that he will be able to help my players. As a veteran, he will have plenty of knowledge to share with my young players.

“And since he played in Brunei before during the first season of the ABL, I felt it is time to bring him back,” he concluded.

Besides Avenido, Pegasus are looking to sign Patrick Cabahug and Roider Cabrera to complete their ASEAN imports quota.

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