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It looks like the new year has already brought a change of luck for Satria Muda Britama.

After struggling for most of the season in the Asean Basketball League, the Indonesian club began 2011 with an 87-70 win over the Brunei Barracudas at Brunei Indoor Stadium on Sunday, giving it a slim chance of qualifying for the playoffs.

With two games to play in the regular season, Satria Muda is in fifth place in the six-team league with a 5-8 record and 10 points, the same as the fourth-place Singapore Slingers (5-7), which has a game in hand.

Satria Muda still has everything to play for because should the two teams finish the season level on points, the Indonesians will qualify for the knockout round courtesy of a better head-to-head record. Satria Muda has beaten the Slingers twice in their three meetings this season.

Satria Muda knows it needs to win its last two games in the regular season to keep the pressure on, and hope that the Slingers slip up. Coach Ocky Tamtelahitu has urged his team to make full use of home advantage.

Satria Muda hosts the first-place Chang Thailand Slammers (10-3) on Thursday and closes the regular season at home against the Philippine Patriots (8-5) on Jan. 15.

“The squad has been improving and the win over the Barracudas shows the players are willing to fight until the end,” Ocky said on Sunday.

Five players scored in double figures in the win against Brunei.

American forward Marcus Morrison led Satria Muda with 22 points, while guard Mario Wuysang chipped in with 19 points and seven assists.

Antoine Broxsie notched a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds, while Francis Adriano and new arrival Ricky Ricafuente scored 12 points each.

Chris Commons led the Barracudas with 23 points.