Circuit 3 of the 2023/2024 Major Basketball League in Port Dickson was meant to be NS Matrix Deers’s glorious homecoming but unfortunately the local Negeri Sembilan crowd were left disappointed as their hometown heroes fell short.
Still, it was a circuit to remember with an epic double overtime showdown and plenty of talking points at the conclusion of Circuit 3.
Here’s our weekly Power Rankings!
(All rankings are the personal opinion of the writer)
#1 JOHOR SOUTHERN TIGERS
Overall (7-0) , Circuit 3 (3-0)
Circuit 3 Results
vs NS Matrix Deers 93-83 W (Double OT)
vs Penang Sunrise Youngsters 94-72 W
vs UCSI Rising Star 78- 62 W
Last season’s runners-up continue their incredible run with seven straight wins, remaining the only unbeaten team of the season.
Johor Southern Tigers opened their Circuit 3 with another win over the defending champions NS Matrix Deers, spoiling their opening home circuit game in an epic double overtime victory led by star guard’s Heng Yee Tong astounding near triple double performance of 23 points, 9 rebounds and 10 assists.
Their victory this time was even more impressive as NS Matrix Deers had both their imports in the squad..
Feeling the effects of the double overtime game the night before, the Tigers were held to a close game with the Penang Sunrise Youngsters before Moses Morgan’s third quarter 14 points explosion set the tone for a comfortable win.
Despite opting to rest Heng Yee Tong and Lee Joon Kang and using only seven players in their third game against UCSI Rising Star, the Tigers were barely tested and easily dispatched the newcomer after an impressive 30-6 opening quarter.
While some had doubts on Johor Southern Tigers championship credentials, claiming their win over NS Matrix Deers in Circuit 2 was only due to them missing one import, the team has surely silenced their doubters with their impressive Circuit 3 performance.
At the conclusion of Circuit 3, Johor Southern Tigers lead the league in six categories (points per game, assists per game, steals per game, blocks per game, three pointers made and three point shooting percentage).
Circuit 3 Star Performer:-
MVP candidate Arinze Chidom continues to stuff the stat sheet, averaging 21.3 PPG, 11.3 RPG, 5.3 SPG and 3.3 BPG in Port Dickson. Chidom’s efforts were critical in their win over NS Matrix Deers with his clutch baskets and energy hustle saving the game.
#2 – UCSI RISING STAR
Overall (2-5) Circuit 3 (1-1)
Circuit 3 Results
vs NS Matrix Deers 67-61 W
vs Johor Southern Tigers 62-78 L
Heading into Circuit 3 ranked last and with two games against the top two teams, many predicted a miserable time in Port Dickson for UCSI Rising Star.
How wrong their doubters were as UCSI Rising Star stunned a full strength NS Matrix Deers in front of their home crowd to earn the No.2 spot on our weekly power ranking.
Replacing Steve Toyloy, new import Marcellus Roberts was a much needed boost, playing the entire 40 minutes and helping his team withhold a late NS Matrix Deers comeback for the memorable upset victory.
Their second game however was a reverse of fortunes as the team paid for a horrendous opening 6-30 quarter against Johor Southern Tigers, landing themselves in a hole too deep to climb out despite having a full strength roster against only seven Tigers players.
In spite of second game mauling, UCSI Rising Star will be feeling positive with the addition of Marcellus Roberts and with more practice time together to build on their chemistry, the newcomers will fancy their chances at qualifying for the playoffs.
Circuit 3 Star Performer:-
Even though he had quiet game against Johor Southern Tigers, we have to name Chong Zhen Yang again as UCSI Rising Star’s star performer of the week for his eye catching 26 points (60% shooting) performance against NS Matrix Deers that has led to some fans calling for the 20 year old guard to be selected for National Team duty soon.
#3 PENANG SUNRISE YOUNGSTERS
Overall (3-4) Circuit 3 (1-1)
Circuit 3 Results
vs KL Aseel 80-76 W
vs Johor Southern Tigers 72-94 L
Just like in Circuit 2, Penang Sunrise Youngsters showed their heart and resilience, coming from behind to defeat KL Aseel for their third win of the season.
In a game where their regular three point shooters were ice cold, their big men came through in the fourth as Jordan Tolbert and Kuek Tian Yuan took advantage of KL Aseel’s inefficient defence to sink five key three pointers en route to the win.
Unfortunately for the Penangites, once again couldn’t keep their momentum going and fell to another heavy defeat to Johor Southern Tigers after a calamitous third quarter where their offence turned cold and they failed to contain the Tiger’s offensive onslaught led by Moses Morgan and Heng Yee Tong.
At this rate Sunrise Youngsters look like they’ll be able to secure a playoff ticket but will still need to find a way to get more production from their bench if they want to improve their chances of a championship.
Making matters worse for the Youngsters, they suffered another setback with up and coming guard Jason Khor leaving the game against the Tiger with a serious injury.
Circuit 3 Star Performer:-
The flashy dunker Cameron Satterwhite earns our vote as Penang Sunrise Youngster’s top performer of the Port Dickson circuit, averaging 19.5 PPG, 9 RPG and 7.5 APG. Satterwhite came good when it mattered the most this week, scoring crucial late game points in their win over KL Aseel.
#4 NS Matrix Deers
Overall (5-3) Circuit 3 (1-2)
Circuit 3 Results
vs Johor Southern Tigers 89-93 L (Double OT)
vs UCSI Rising Stars 61-67 L
vs KL Aseel 82-60 W
For their disappointing home circuit performance, the defending champions NS Matrix Deers fell to No.4 in our weekly power ranking.
Despite Amir Williams returning to the team, it was clear that the big man was still struggling with the effects of his illness last week.
A second straight loss to Johor Southern Tigers left them frustrated once again as careless mistakes down the stretch allowed their opponents the win.
Fatigue was once again a factor late in the game against UCSI Rising Stars with late defensive lapses costing them the game.
The team closed off their home circuit on a positive note, but with KL Aseel fielding an all local line up that struggled against the size of Amir Williams, the win was expected and still not too impressive with KL Aseel still in the game in the fourth quarter. .
Reigning Local MVP, ‘Mei Mei’ Ting Chun Hong continues to struggle in his adjusted role on the team, shooting only 17% from three. UCSI Rising Star’s tactics have proven a thorn in his side, scoring only a total of 13 points in two games against them.
Circuit 3 Star Performer:-
Despite his limited minutes, Amir Williams was still their most consistent performer, averaging 17 PPG and 11 RPG. The team will need a full recovery from him for optimum contributions due to a lack of depth in the bigs department with Kuek Tian Yuan and Mak Lok Seng not on the team.
#5 KL ASEEL
Overall (1-6), Circuit 3 (0-2)
Circuit 3 Results
vs Penang Sunrise Youngsters 76-80 L
vs NS Matrix Deers 60-82 L
The team that was once heralded as the team to break NS Matrix Deers’s dominance in the Malaysian basketball scene now look like a far cry from their original vision as their losing streak extends to six, leaving them rock bottom in the standings.
For the fourth straight game, KL Aseel blew a second half lead and fell to another heartbreaking loss to Penang Sunrise Youngsters after failing to contain their three point shooting in the fourth.
In a perplexing move, KL Aseel opted to sit out their imports against a tired NS Matrix Deers team and despite their local players impressing early with a 13 point lead, they couldn’t keep up the momentum and eventually fell to another heavy defeat in an intense game littered with unsportsmanlike and technical fouls.
KL Aseel remains the worst team in the turnovers department, averaging 20.7 per game.
Watching their All Access Pass videos on their official YouTube channel, one can’t help but feel like dressing room tensions could be a factor in the team’s struggle this season.
Circuit 3 Star Performer:-
In another circuit to forget for KL Aseel, Wee Yong Gan and Tem Zhen Jie were their bright sparks, both averaging 12 PPG.
Here’s the latest standings after the conclusion of Circuit 3.
