After 7 circuits, the Major Basketball League Season 2 playoffs are upon us!
The defending champions NS Matrix Deers finished No.1 riding hot, finishing the season on a nine game winning streak while early season table toppers Johor Southern Tigers tumbled to the second seed spot after losing four of their last five games.
Penang Sunrise Youngsters finished third, overcoming a painful loss to UCSI Rising Star to stun Johor Southern Tigers and KL Aseel to book their first ever playoff ticket.
After their positive Circuit 6, KL Aseel finished fourth for the second straight season with an underwhelming finish, barely qualifying based on head to head record against UCSI Rising Star after defeating the shorthanded newcomers who were missing the services of Tychique Bosango and Chong Zhen Yang.
Before we dive into the playoffs starting this weekend, let’s take a look at a few players we believe deserve to be in the shout for the MVP awards along with a few special categories we decided to name,
(All nominations are the personal opinion of the writer)
Regular Season MVP Nominees
1. Arinze Chidom (Johor Southern Tigers)
PPG -22.3 (Joint 2nd), RPG -10.2 (6th), APG -3.5 (8th), SPG -3.7 (1st) , BPG -2.3 (1st)
The 26 year old American Power Forward has been an absolute beast for Johor Southern Tigers, dominating on both ends of the floor. Shooting 52.3% from two and 40.9% percent from three, Chidom has proven that he’s an all round offensive threat with the ability to shoot efficiently from both beyond the arc and midrange as well as drive to the basket.
His vast wingspan has also proven his prowess in defence, leading the league in both steals and blocks, a rare double feat for a front court player.
2. Jordan Tolbert (Penang Sunrise Youngsters)
PPG -22.4 (1st), RPG -14.7 (2nd), APG -3.0 (8th), SPG -2.6 (Joint 4th), BPG -1.1 (Joint 5th)
From the list of imports making their MBL debut this season, Jordan Tolbert was the name most familiar to our local scene, having played for several teams in Taiwan before making the jump to Malaysia. The 31 year old veteran big man definitely lived up to his billing, leading the league in scoring and coming in clutch with two 30 point performances in Penang Sunrise Youngster’s last two games to lead the team to their maiden playoffs appearance.
While his import teammate Cameron Satterwhite often steals the show with his dunks, Tolbert’s consistent paint area fundamentals have been key in getting the job done for his team. Tolbert’s stamina and fitness is also a big factor to his team. Tolbert had 9 full 40 minute games (more than any other player) and only played less than 33 minutes once this season, in a game where he was ejected for two unsportsmanlike fouls.
2nd in the league in rebounding, Tolbert also leads the league in offensive rebounds with 70.
3. Anthony Moe (KL Aseel)
PPG -22.3 (Joint 2nd) , RPG -16.2 (1st), BPG -1.5 (3rd)
The 33 year old Guyana National Team center had to shoulder a heavy load on his shoulders, playing six games as a lone import but proved himself reliable by helping them break a nine game losing streak to make it to the playoffs.
Proving an imposing presence in the paint, Moe’s fine touch in the paint saw him shoot an efficient 55% from 2 while also showing he has a decent three point shot, converting 40% of his attempts.
Moe’s efforts saw him finish in the top three in scoring, rebounding and blocks.
Local MVP Nominees
*All ranks in brackets are among local players
1.Ting Chun Hong (NS Matrix Deers)
PPG -14.7 (1st) , RPG -7.9 (1st), APG -4.5 (2nd)
The reigning Local MVP will be odds on favourites to retain his title again, overcoming a difficult start to the season to rally NS Matrix Deers to the No.1 seed position.
Known more as an all out scorer, ‘Mei Mei’ started the season in a slightly different role and responsibility, tasked with a playmaker role at times along with guarding the opposing team’s imports.
While his scoring numbers from last season have reduced due to the team playing with two American imports right from the start of the season, Mei Mei still showed he was more than capable in spearheading his team’s offence, scoring more than 20 points four times. In his new role, Mei Mei also increased his assists ratio from 2.5 per game to 4.5 this season.
Mei Mei also achieved a milestone achievement this season as the first player to have 500 points, 200 rebounds and 100 assists.
2. Heng Yee Tong (Johor Southern Tigers)
PPG -11.1 (7th), RPG -4.1 (3rd), APG – 6.7 (1st), SPG – 1.9 (Joint 2nd)
Heng Yee Tong cemented his position as arguably the best guard in Malaysia right now with an impressive season where he achieved another league milestone as the first player to hit 100 assists and currently stands at the top of the league’s historical assists tally with 141.
Averaging the highest minutes per game among all local players (31 MPG), Yee Tong deserves to be in the conversation for Local MVP with his steady command at the point and dangerous three point shooting proving a huge problem for his opponents.
A memorable moment for Yee Tong this season was his near triple double performance of 25 points, 9 rebounds and 10 assists, taking down NS Matrix Deers on their homecourt.
3. Wong Yi Hou (NS Matrix Deers)
PPG -14.4 (2nd), RPG -3.6 (1st), SPG -2.6 (2nd)
While his teammate, Mei Mei seems to always grab the headlines, one must never overlook NS Matrix Deer’s Scottie Pippen to Michael Jordan.
Still only 27, Yi Hou is already considered a wily veteran in the Malaysian basketball scene and showed consistency on both ends of the floor throughout the season, shooting a cool 50.8% from two, averaging 2.6 steals and grabbing 23 offensive rebounds (2nd among locals)
With his uncanny ability in getting himself to the free throw line, Yi Hou also has the most free throw attempts among local players (56).
Yi Hou’s 31 points performance against Penang Sunrise Youngsters was the most points scored by a local player in a game this season.
Unofficial Awards
Here are a few unofficial awards on some players whom we believe deserve some recognition!
Local Rookie Of The Year – Lakksman Ganapathy (KL Aseel)
PPG -4.1, RPG -3.8 , MPG -19.4
This award was given in consideration of local players who did not participate in the 2022 season.
While he didn’t have the flashiest of statistics, the 25 year old 190 cm Johorean forward who used to play for Letran Knights in NCAA Philippines stood out for his energetic display on defence. In a team loaded with talented local bigs like Maegen Mahadevan, Lee Jing Hung and Kwan Yoong Jing, Lakksman earned the trust of Coach Kris Reyes, averaging the most minutes among the local front court players on his team.
Often seen with the assignment of guarding the much taller opposition imports, Lakksman led all local players in offensive rebounds this season with 24.
A testament to his fierce defence, Lakksman also led the league in fouls, committing 65, averaging 4.3 a game
Most Improved Player – Chong Zhen Yang (UCSI Rising Star)
2022 Statistics – PPG – 6.8, RPG – 2.8, APG -1.4, SPG- 1
2023/24 Statistics – PPG – 12.3, RPG – 2.8, APG -2.8, SPG- 2.8
The 20 year old guard from Bangi earns our vote as the ‘Most Improved Player’ with his starring role for UCSI Rising Star this season.
Although his team narrowly missed out on playoffs qualification, Zhen Yang’s impressed with his performance well beyond his age. Averaging 25 minutes per game, Zhen Yang was entrusted to be a key part of his team and led all locals in steals per game, averaging 2.8 (3rd overall)
Zhen Yang’s breakout game of the season was a 26 points performance that saw them topple NS Matrix Deers on their home court.
Sixth Man Award – Tem Zhen Jie (KL Aseel)
PPG – 13.2, RPG -3.1, APG 2.3, SPG 1.2
Although technically Zhen Jie started more games than coming off the bench this season, he has started seven of his last eight games from the bench, hence we decided to award Zhen Jie this unofficial award.
Despite many deeming the National Team sharpshooter one of KL Aseel’s best local players and deserving of a starting place, Zhen Jie has performed astoundingly coming off the bench, with his performances key to KL Aseel’s last minute push into the playoffs.
Zhen Jie’s moment of the season so far was hitting the clutch go ahead three pointer against Penang Sunrise Youngsters in a crucial playoffs ramification overtime win where both his import teammates fouled out
Zhen Jie’s 44 made three pointers is the most among locals and second overall.
Hairstyle Of The Season – Anthony Liew Wen Qian (NS Matrix Deers)
No contest!
