MBL Round 4 (Regular Season): NS Matrix hands first loss to Johor Tigers

There are only two more rounds left in the Regular Season in MPL. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of Johor Tigers (9-1) on the court of second ranked NS Matrix on Friday night. Visitors were rolled over by NS Matrix 88-63. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. NS Matrix forced 19 Johor Tigers turnovers and outrebounded them 46-31 including 16 on the offensive glass. NS Matrix looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American center Amir Williams (211-1992, college: Ohio St.) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 22 points and 13 rebounds. The former international guard Chun-Hong Ting (193-1996) contributed with 17 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. American forward Arinze Chidom (206-1997, college: UC Riverside) replied with 20 points and 8 rebounds for Johor Tigers. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. NS Matrix have a solid three-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains second position with 7-3 record having just two points less than leader Johor Tigers. Johor Tigers at the other side still keep top place with one game lost. NS Matrix are looking forward to face Penang SY (#4) at home in the next round. Johor Tigers will play against Adroit and are hoping to win this game.
Very important is a home loss of third ranked Penang SY (3-6) against fourth ranked Rising Star (4-6) on Sunday night. Host Penang SY was defeated by Rising Star in a tough game in Penang 69-76. Worth to mention a great performance of DR Congolese guard Tychique Bosango (189-2001) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 11 points, 11 rebounds, 8 assists and 4 steals and Marcellus Roberts who added 13 points and 16 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side American forward Jordan Tolbert (200-1992, college: SMU) responded with a double-double by scoring 16 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists. Rising Star moved-up to third place. Penang SY at the other side dropped to the fourth position with six games lost. Rising Star will play against KL Aseel (#5) in Kuala Lumpur in the next round. Penang SY will play against the league's second-placed NS Matrix and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
An interesting game for Johor Tigers (9-1) which played road game in against 4th ranked Rising Star (4-6). First ranked Johor Tigers had an easy win 97-56. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Rising Star. The winners were led by Moses Morgan who scored that evening 14 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists. Even 12 points by Jin-Xi Yap did not help to save the game for Rising Star. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Johor Tigers maintains first position with 9-1 record. Loser Rising Star dropped to the third place with six games lost. Johor Tigers will meet at home bottom-ranked Adroit (#6) in the next round where they are favorite. Rising Star will play against KL Aseel in Kuala Lumpur and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

Other games in round 4 were not that significant. Rising Star smashed KL Aseel on the road 81-58. Penang SY lost to defending champion NS Matrix on its own court 76-89. KL Aseel was outscored by Johor Tigers in Johor Baharu 69-95.



KL Aseel - Rising Star 58-81

The game between closely ranked teams ended with fourth ranked Rising Star's (4-6) road victory over 5th ranked KL Aseel (1-8) in Kuala Lumpur 81-58 on Friday. Rising Star dominated down low during the game scoring 44 of its points in the paint compared to KL Aseel's 22. Rising Star forced 25 KL Aseel turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists comparing to just 11 passes made by KL Aseel's players. The winners were led by American center Marcellus Roberts (203-1995, college: Young Harris) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 17 points and 11 rebounds and DR Congolese guard Tychique Bosango (189-2001) supported him with 11 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 blocks. Four Rising Star players scored in double figures. Even a double-double of 20 points and 20 rebounds by Guyanese-American center Anthony Moe (207-1990, college: Millersville) did not help to save the game for KL Aseel. The former international guard Zhen-Jie Tem (177-1998) added 19 points for lost side. KL Aseel's coach Kristoffer Reyes gave up on the game allowing to play eleven players seeing no chance for a win. Rising Star moved-up to third place. KL Aseel lost seventh consecutive game. They keep the fifth position with eight games lost. Rising Star will meet at home league's second-placed NS Matrix in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. KL Aseel will play again against Rising Star and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Rising Star: M.Roberts 17+11reb+1ast, C.Yew-Thung 14+5reb+2ast, C.Zheng-Yang 13+1reb+4ast, B.Tychique 11+12reb+5ast, R.Yap 11+1reb+1ast, L.Jia-Jun 9+5reb+5ast
KL Aseel: A.Moe 20+20reb, T.Zhen-Jie 19+1reb, G.Teck-Hwa 11+3reb, W.Yong-Gan 2+5reb+4ast, M.Maegen 2+5reb, T.Jiar-Yang 2+1ast

Rising Star - Johor Tigers 56-97

An interesting game for Johor Tigers (9-1) which played road game in against 4th ranked Rising Star (4-6). First ranked Johor Tigers had an easy win 97-56. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Rising Star. Johor Tigers forced 29 Rising Star turnovers. The winners were led by American-Thailand Moses Morgan (198-1992, college: CS Fullerton) who scored that evening 14 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists and American forward Arinze Chidom (206-1997, college: UC Riverside) supported him with 18 points and 6 rebounds. Four Johor Tigers players scored in double figures. Even 12 points by forward Jin-Xi Yap (193-2005) did not help to save the game for Rising Star. American center Marcellus Roberts (203-1995, college: Young Harris) added 5 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists for lost side. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Johor Tigers maintains first position with 9-1 record. Loser Rising Star dropped to the third place with six games lost. Johor Tigers will meet at home bottom-ranked Adroit (#6) in the next round where they are favorite. Rising Star will play against KL Aseel in Kuala Lumpur and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Johor Tigers: A.Chidom 18+6reb+3ast, M.Morgan 14+8reb+5ast, L.Chee-Wei 12+3reb+2ast, Y.Heng 10+6reb+5ast, K.Tang 9+1reb, W.Joon-yi 6+1reb+1ast
Rising Star: Y.Jin-Xi 12+4reb+1ast, R.Yap 9+1ast, T.Yi-Hang 5+1reb, C.Jin-Yen 5+9reb+1ast, M.Roberts 5+7reb+4ast, L.Wan-Seong 5+2reb+1ast

Penang SY - NS Matrix 76-89

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 3rd ranked Penang SY's (3-6) home loss to second ranked NS Matrix (7-3) 76-89 on Saturday. American players dominated the game. The winners were led by DeQuan Abrom (188-1996, college: Belm.Abbey) who scored that evening 23 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists and center Amir Williams (211-1992, college: Ohio St.) supported him with 17 points and 12 rebounds. Even a double-double of 23 points and 12 rebounds by forward Jordan Tolbert (200-1992, college: SMU) did not help to save the game for Penang SY. Guard Cameron Satterwhite (193-1997, college: Montana) added 18 points and 8 rebounds for lost side. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. NS Matrix have a solid three-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains second position with 7-3 record having just two points less than leader Johor Tigers. Loser Penang SY dropped to the fourth place with six games lost. NS Matrix will meet Rising Star (#3) in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Penang SY will play again against the league's second-placed NS Matrix and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
NS Matrix: D.Abrom 23+5reb+5ast, Y.Wong 21+6reb+2ast, A.Williams 17+12reb+1ast, O.Xian-Fu 9+5reb, Z.Chang 6+2reb+1ast, D.Wee-Yiang 6+3reb+1ast
Penang SY: J.Tolbert 23+12reb+2ast, C.Satterwhite 18+8reb+3ast, L.Shu-Wen 17+3reb+4ast, T.Kuek 8+5reb+4ast, M.Lok-Seng 6+3reb+2ast, T.Di-Yang 2+2reb

NS Matrix - Johor Tigers 88-63

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of Johor Tigers (9-1) on the court of second ranked NS Matrix on Friday night. Visitors were rolled over by NS Matrix 88-63. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. NS Matrix forced 19 Johor Tigers turnovers and outrebounded them 46-31 including 16 on the offensive glass. NS Matrix looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American center Amir Williams (211-1992, college: Ohio St.) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 22 points and 13 rebounds. The former international guard Chun-Hong Ting (193-1996) contributed with 17 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. Four NS Matrix players scored in double figures. American forward Arinze Chidom (206-1997, college: UC Riverside) replied with 20 points and 8 rebounds and international point guard Yee-Tong Heng (180-1998) added 8 points and 4 assists in the effort for Johor Tigers. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. NS Matrix have a solid three-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains second position with 7-3 record having just two points less than leader Johor Tigers. Johor Tigers at the other side still keep top place with one game lost. NS Matrix are looking forward to face Penang SY (#4) at home in the next round. Johor Tigers will play against Adroit and are hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
NS Matrix: A.Williams 22+13reb+1ast, C.Ting 17+7reb+5ast, D.Abrom 12+4reb+7ast, Y.Wong 12+2reb+3ast, O.Xian-Fu 8+3reb+3ast, W.Liew 8+4reb
Johor Tigers: A.Chidom 20+8reb+3ast, K.Wong 12+2reb+1ast, Y.Heng 8+4reb+4ast, L.Chee-Wei 6+1reb+1ast, L.Raj V 6+3reb+1ast, M.Morgan 5+4reb+1ast

Penang SY - Rising Star 69-76

Very important is a home loss of third ranked Penang SY (3-6) against fourth ranked Rising Star (4-6) on Sunday night. Host Penang SY was defeated by Rising Star in a tough game in Penang 69-76. Worth to mention a great performance of DR Congolese guard Tychique Bosango (189-2001) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 11 points, 11 rebounds, 8 assists and 4 steals and American center Marcellus Roberts (203-1995, college: Young Harris) who added 13 points and 16 rebounds during the contest. Four Rising Star players scored in double figures. At the losing side American forward Jordan Tolbert (200-1992, college: SMU) responded with a double-double by scoring 16 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists and his fellow American import guard Cameron Satterwhite (193-1997, college: Montana) scored 17 points and 7 rebounds. Rising Star moved-up to third place. Penang SY at the other side dropped to the fourth position with six games lost. Rising Star will play against KL Aseel (#5) in Kuala Lumpur in the next round. Penang SY will play against the league's second-placed NS Matrix and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Rising Star: C.Zheng-Yang 16+6reb+4ast, L.Jia-Jun 13+5reb+3ast, M.Roberts 13+16reb, B.Tychique 11+11reb+8ast, C.Yew-Thung 8+2reb+1ast, T.Chi-Sheng 6+2ast
Penang SY: C.Satterwhite 17+7reb+3ast, J.Tolbert 16+12reb+4ast, L.Shu-Wen 14+6reb+1ast, T.Kuek 7+4reb+1ast, F.Jun-Xian 6+3reb+1ast, T.Wei-Chew 5+3reb+1ast

Johor Tigers - KL Aseel 95-69

Rather predictable result when first ranked Johor Tigers (9-1) rolled over 5th ranked KL Aseel (1-8) in Johor Baharu 95-69 on Sunday. Johor Tigers forced 20 KL Aseel turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. The winners were led by American forward Arinze Chidom (206-1997, college: UC Riverside) who scored that evening 32 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals and American-Thailand Moses Morgan (198-1992, college: CS Fullerton) supported him with 26 points and 9 rebounds. Even a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds by Guyanese-American center Anthony Moe (207-1990, college: Millersville) did not help to save the game for KL Aseel. The former international guard Zhen-Jie Tem (177-1998) added 16 points for lost side. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Johor Tigers maintains first position with 9-1 record. KL Aseel lost seventh consecutive game. They keep the fifth place with eight games lost. Johor Tigers will meet at home bottom-ranked Adroit (#6) in the next round where they are favorite. KL Aseel will play against Rising Star and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Johor Tigers: A.Chidom 32+8reb+4ast, M.Morgan 26+9reb+1ast, K.Tang 9+4reb+1ast, D.Chong-Qui 7+4reb+3ast, K.Wong 7+2ast, L.Raj V 5+6reb+1ast
KL Aseel: T.Zhen-Jie 16+4reb+1ast, A.Moe 14+10reb+1ast, W.Yong-Gan 10+2reb+6ast, Y.Kwaan 8+5reb+1ast, G.Lakksman 7+2reb+1ast, G.Teck-Hwa 5+8reb+1ast