Many have called CLS’ journey in the league that of a Cinderella story, as no one expected the team to reach of the finals.
s the newly crowned champions of the 2018/2019 ASEAN Basketball League (ABL), Indonesia’s CLS Knights say solid teamwork between the players and coach has been the fuel of their success.
Brian Rowsom, the coach of the Surabaya, East Java team, said he believed communication was the foundation of the team’s strength. He said he had always tried to develop the chemistry between players and himself since accepting the job in September last year.
“We work together, both on and off the court. Those guys spend a lot of time together after practice is over. They go to the movies together. They go to dinner together. And all of this helps with communication,” said Rowsom on Monday, crediting his protégé who had trusted him, which made his job easier.
CLS spent nine months preparing for the ABL for the second time. Rowsom, a former NBA Charlotte Hornets player, took the helm from Koko Heru Setyo Nugroho, who led the club finishing at seventh in the 2017/2018 season.
In the recently ended season, CLS dramatically ensured the title after winning the final leg against the Singapore Slingers 84-81 at the OCBC Arena, Singapore, on May 15. The win gave CLS an advantage with an overall score of 3-2 in the best-of-five finals.
Many have called CLS’ journey in the league that of a Cinderella story, as no one expected the team to reach of the finals.
Question now linger about the team’s future in the league as CLS’ contract to play in the ABL has ended.
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