MBL Round 4 (Regular Season): Sarawak CW defeat NS Matrix

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of top-ranked NS Matrix (8-2) at the home court on Friday night. Hosts were defeated by second ranked Fire Horse (5-5) 72-61. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of NS Matrix. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. Sarawak CW had a 36-23 advantage in offensive rebounds. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Alexander Starling (198-1989, college: BCU) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 15 points and 17 rebounds. Australian guard Alexander Mudronja (196-1999, college: SMC) contributed with 19 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. American DeQuan Abrom (188-1996, college: Belm.Abbey) replied with 17 points and 4 assists for NS Matrix. NS Matrix's coach Felton Sealey rotated twelve players in this game, but that didn't help. Sarawak CW maintains second position with 5-5 record having just three points less than leader NS Matrix, which they share with Penang SY. Defending champion NS Matrix still keeps top place with two games lost. Sarawak CW is looking forward to face Johor Tigers (#4) in Johor Baharu in the next round. NS Matrix will play at home against Penang SY and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Very important is a road loss of second ranked Fire Horse (5-5) against fourth ranked Penang SY (5-5) on Saturday night. Visiting Fire Horse was defeated by Penang SY in a tough game in Penang 59-68. Worth to mention a great performance of Ukrainian forward Yevgen Sakhniuk (201-1995, college: Jefferson) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 13 points, 18 rebounds and 5 assists and Frederick Lish who added 11 points during the contest. At the losing side Australian guard Alexander Mudronja (196-1999, college: SMC) responded with a double-double by scoring 16 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Penang SY moved-up to second place, which they share with Sarawak CW. Penang SY will play against league's leader NS Matrix in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Sarawak CW will play against Johor Tigers and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Very important is a home loss of third ranked Johor Tigers (4-5) against fourth ranked Penang SY (5-5) on Sunday night. Host Johor Tigers were crushed by Penang SY in Johor Baharu 97-62. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Johor Tigers. It was a key game for the second position in the league. The winners were led by Yevgen Sakhniuk who scored that evening 27 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists. Even a double-double of 11 points and 14 rebounds by Christian Anigwe did not help to save the game 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. Penang SY moved-up to second place, which they share with Sarawak CW. Johor Tigers at the other side dropped to the fourth position with five games lost. Penang SY will meet league's leader NS Matrix in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Johor Tigers will play against Putrajaya and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

Other games in round 4 were not that significant. Penang SY was beaten by Johor Tigers on the road 82-68. Bottom-ranked Putrajaya lost to defending champion NS Matrix on its own court 58-85. NS Matrix managed to outperform Sarawak CW in a road game 80-62.



NS Matrix - Sarawak CW 61-72

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of top-ranked NS Matrix (8-2) at the home court on Friday night. Hosts were defeated by second ranked Fire Horse (5-5) 72-61. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of NS Matrix. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. Sarawak CW had a 36-23 advantage in offensive rebounds. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Alexander Starling (198-1989, college: BCU) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 15 points and 17 rebounds. Australian guard Alexander Mudronja (196-1999, college: SMC) contributed with 19 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. Four Fire Horse players scored in double figures. American DeQuan Abrom (188-1996, college: Belm.Abbey) replied with 17 points and 4 assists and the former international guard Chun-Hong Ting (193-1996) added 13 points and 7 rebounds in the effort for NS Matrix. NS Matrix's coach Felton Sealey rotated twelve players in this game, but that didn't help. Sarawak CW maintains second position with 5-5 record having just three points less than leader NS Matrix, which they share with Penang SY. Defending champion NS Matrix still keeps top place with two games lost. Sarawak CW is looking forward to face Johor Tigers (#4) in Johor Baharu in the next round. NS Matrix will play at home against Penang SY and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
NS Matrix: D.Abrom 17+4reb+4ast, C.Ting 13+7reb+3ast, V.Jackson 9+5reb, J.Hiew 5+2reb, W.De 4+3reb, Y.Wong 4+5reb+2ast
Sarawak CW: A.Mudronja 19+5reb+2ast, J.Perry 15+5reb, A.Starling 15+17reb+1ast, Y.Wee 13+4reb+5ast, J.Tan Goh 5+4reb+1ast, Y.Kwaan 3+2reb

Johor Tigers - Penang SY 82-68

The game between closely ranked teams ended with third ranked Johor Tigers' (4-5) home victory over 4th ranked Penang SY (5-5) in Johor Baharu 82-68 on Friday. Johor Tigers looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. The winners were led by American guard Jabari Bird (198-1994, college: California) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 37 points (!!!) and 10 rebounds and the other American import forward Christian Anigwe (206, college: UC Davis) supported him with 22 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists. Even 14 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists by Ukrainian forward Yevgen Sakhniuk (201-1995, college: Jefferson) did not help to save the game for Penang SY. American-Thailand point guard Frederick Lish (175-1988, college: USA) added 15 points and 10 rebounds for lost side. Penang SY's coach Guan-Tan Seak tested eleven players and allowed the starting five to rest. Johor Tigers have a solid four-game winning streak. Despite that victory Johor Tigers went down to fourth position due to points difference. Penang SY at the other side dropped to the second place with five games lost. They share the position with Sarawak CW. Johor Tigers will meet bottom-ranked Putrajaya (#5) in the next round. Penang SY will play against the league's leader NS Matrix and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Penang SY: F.Lish 15+10reb+3ast, Y.Sakhniuk 14+9reb+5ast, S.Lee 12+6reb, J.Lee 8+1reb+1ast, J.Chin 6+3reb+2ast, Z.Siau 4+4reb
Johor Tigers: J.Bird 37+10reb+1ast, C.Anigwe 22+9reb+4ast, K.Wong 11+7reb+3ast, Y.Heng 6+5reb+8ast, J.Lee 4+3reb+4ast, S.Hurt 2+2reb

Putrajaya - NS Matrix 58-85

Very expected game when 5th ranked Putrajaya (2-7) was smashed at home by first ranked NS Matrix (8-2) 85-58 on Saturday. NS Matrix forced 28 Putrajaya turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when NS Matrix made 8 blocks. The winners were led by American DeQuan Abrom (188-1996, college: Belm.Abbey) who scored that evening 14 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists and the other American import forward Vance Jackson (206-1997, college: ECU) supported him with 18 points and 7 rebounds. Four NS Matrix players scored in double figures. Even 14 points and 8 rebounds by Guyanese-American center Anthony Moe (207-1990, college: Millersville) did not help to save the game for Putrajaya. International Xian-Fu Ooi (188-2000) added 13 points and 9 rebounds for lost side. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Defending champion maintains first position with 8-2 record. Putrajaya at the other side stay at the bottom place with seven games lost. NS Matrix will meet at home Penang SY (#3) in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Putrajaya will play against Johor Tigers and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Putrajaya: A.Moe 14+8reb+2ast, X.Ooi 13+9reb+1ast, T.Bosango 9+6reb+4ast, Y.Chan 6+1reb+2ast, J.Lee 5+3reb+2ast, G.Lakksman 4+2reb
NS Matrix: V.Jackson 18+7reb, D.Abrom 14+6reb+6ast, T.Obasa 13+6reb, C.Ting 11+2ast, Y.Wong 10+4reb+1ast, W.De 10+4reb+1ast

Penang SY - Sarawak CW 68-59

Very important is a road loss of second ranked Fire Horse (5-5) against fourth ranked Penang SY (5-5) on Saturday night. Visiting Fire Horse was defeated by Penang SY in a tough game in Penang 59-68. Penang SY outrebounded Sarawak CW 53-32 including a 23-9 advantage in offensive rebounds. Worth to mention a great performance of Ukrainian forward Yevgen Sakhniuk (201-1995, college: Jefferson) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 13 points, 18 rebounds and 5 assists and American-Thailand point guard Frederick Lish (175-1988, college: USA) who added 11 points during the contest. At the losing side Australian guard Alexander Mudronja (196-1999, college: SMC) responded with a double-double by scoring 16 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists and Australian center Jock Perry (216-1997, college: UC Riverside) scored 9 points and 8 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Penang SY moved-up to second place, which they share with Sarawak CW. Penang SY will play against league's leader NS Matrix in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Sarawak CW will play against Johor Tigers and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Sarawak CW: A.Mudronja 16+10reb+5ast, Y.Wee 12+3reb+3ast, J.Perry 9+8reb+2ast, L.Yek 6+4reb+1ast, W.Liew 4+5reb+2ast, Z.Tem 3+1ast
Penang SY: Y.Sakhniuk 13+18reb+5ast, J.Lee 12+2reb+2ast, F.Lish 11+4reb+2ast, R.Miller 8+9reb, J.Chin 8+7reb+1ast, S.Lee 7+3reb+2ast

Sarawak CW - NS Matrix 62-80

The game between closely ranked teams ended with first ranked NS Matrix's (8-2) road victory over their biggest opponent Fire Horse (5-5) 80-62 on Sunday. NS Matrix forced 19 Sarawak CW turnovers. The winners were led by the former international guard Chun-Hong Ting (193-1996) who scored that evening 28 points and 5 rebounds and American forward Vance Jackson (206-1997, college: ECU) supported him with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Even a double-double of 12 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists by Australian guard Alexander Mudronja (196-1999, college: SMC) did not help to save the game for Sarawak CW. The former international point guard Yong-Gan Wee (178-1998) added 21 points for lost side. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Defending champion maintains first position with 8-2 record. Sarawak CW at the other side keeps the second place with five games lost. They share the position with Penang SY. NS Matrix will meet at home Penang SY (#3) in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Sarawak CW will play against Johor Tigers and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Sarawak CW: Y.Wee 21+3reb+1ast, A.Mudronja 12+11reb+7ast, J.Tan Goh 8+2ast, A.Starling 7+8reb+2ast, Y.Kwaan 5+5reb+1ast, J.Perry 5+5reb
NS Matrix: C.Ting 28+5reb, V.Jackson 20+10reb, Y.Wong 10+4reb, D.Abrom 6+4reb+3ast, T.Obasa 4+9reb+1ast, J.Hiew 4+1ast

Johor Tigers - Penang SY 62-97

Very important is a home loss of third ranked Johor Tigers (4-5) against fourth ranked Penang SY (5-5) on Sunday night. Host Johor Tigers were crushed by Penang SY in Johor Baharu 97-62. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Johor Tigers. It was a key game for the second position in the league. Penang SY forced 20 Johor Tigers turnovers and outrebounded them 45-30 including 32 on the defensive glass. Penang SY looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. The winners were led by Ukrainian forward Yevgen Sakhniuk (201-1995, college: Jefferson) who scored that evening 27 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists and American-Thailand point guard Frederick Lish (175-1988, college: USA) supported him with 19 points and 11 rebounds. Even a double-double of 11 points and 14 rebounds by American forward Christian Anigwe (206, college: UC Davis) did not help to save the game for Johor Tigers. His fellow American import guard Jabari Bird (198-1994, college: California) added 16 points and 7 rebounds for lost side. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Penang SY moved-up to second place, which they share with Sarawak CW. Johor Tigers at the other side dropped to the fourth position with five games lost. Penang SY will meet league's leader NS Matrix in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Johor Tigers will play against Putrajaya and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Johor Tigers: S.Hurt 17+1reb, J.Bird 16+7reb+2ast, C.Anigwe 11+14reb+2ast, Y.Heng 7+1reb+3ast, J.Lee 5+3reb+1ast, J.Chia 3
Penang SY: Y.Sakhniuk 27+6reb+7ast, F.Lish 19+11reb+3ast, J.Chin 11+7reb+1ast, S.Lee 9+6reb+1ast, R.Miller 9+4reb+1ast, J.Lee 8+4ast