The draw hadn’t even been officially announced when head coach Lee Kheng Tian already knew the challenge ahead.
“We’ll do everything we can to play our best in every game. ”
There was no drama in his tone, no sugar-coating, just the calm honesty of a coach who knows exactly where his team stands.
From August 31 to September 7, the 2025 FIBA U16 Asia Cup will take over Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Sixteen of the continent’s best youth teams will gather, each chasing more than just wins — this is the proving ground for the next generation of basketball stars.
Malaysia, drawn into Group C with China, Korea, and the host nation, couldn’t have asked for a steeper climb. Under the format, only the group winners advance directly to the quarterfinals, while second- and third-place finishers must survive a play-in round to keep their dreams alive.
For Malaysia, the journey here was anything but smooth. At the Southeast Asia Qualifiers in the Philippines, they stumbled early with back-to-back losses to Thailand and Indonesia. But the U16s refused to fold — rallying with wins over Vietnam and Singapore before defeating Thailand 78–69 in the third-place game to secure the last ticket to the Asian Cup.
Chasing a Quarterfinal Spot in a “Group of Death”
The opening game on August 31 will carry double significance — not only will it be Malaysia’s first test against Korea, but it also falls on the nation’s 68th Independence Day. On September 1, comes the clash with China, followed by the group finale against Mongolia on September 2.
Lee is under no illusions about the road ahead. “China is going to be very tough,” he admits. “Korea — as long as the height gap isn’t too big — we have a chance to fight. Mongolia’s ability is closer to ours, but with the home crowd, they’ll be difficult too.”
He has been to Mongolia twice before, and the memories are vivid: a massive, modern arena packed to the rafters, every seat filled with passionate fans draped in the national flag. “It’s loud, and the energy is intense. That’s not something our boys are used to,” he says, his voice tightening slightly.
Fast, Aggressive, Accurate — Malaysia’s Game Plan
Malaysia’s average height won’t match any of their Group C rivals, so Lee knows they have to win in other ways. “If we can be fast, play with toughness, and hit our shots, we’ll have a chance. If we can’t bring those three elements, we’ll be at a disadvantage.”
To prepare, the team joined the Malaysia U20 Development League in late July, facing older, more physically developed opponents. They finished 3–2 in the group stage before bowing out in the play-in round, but Lee sees the experience as invaluable. “The speed, the physicality — it forces our players to adjust and grow.”
As he spoke, Lee wasn’t promising miracles. He didn’t need to. His focus was on what his players could control: effort, mentality, and execution. All 12 of them will be stepping onto the Asian stage for the first time, and he knows there will be unpredictable moments.
Still, on August 31, when the ball tips in Ulaanbaatar and Malaysia lines up against Korea under the bright lights, they’ll have one thing in abundance — belief. As Lee put it, “We’ll do everything we can to play our best in every game. And if we can be fast, aggressive, and accurate, we’ll have our shot.”
