Nicholas Tem (Photo by: Amanda Soo)
Circuit 6 at UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur was not one for the faint hearted with plenty of drama (and vuvuzelas) but the main story of the circuit was none other than the resurgence of KL Aseel.
With UCSI Rising Star, Penang Sunrise Youngsters and KL Aseel all with four wins now, we’re shaping up for a wild final regular season circuit in MABA Stadium this weekend.
Here’s our weekly Power Rankings!
(All rankings are the personal opinion of the writer)
#1 NS MATRIX DEERS
Overall (11-3) Circuit 6 (2-0)
Dequan Abrom (Photo by: Amanda Soo)
Circuit 6 Results
vs UCSI Rising Star 71-67 W
vs Penang Sunrise Youngsters 82-68 W
The defending champions are on a high, finishing 2023 with a seven game win streak.
With their playoff ticket already secured, NS Matrix Deers have their eyes set on the No.1 seed and came up against a fierce challenge from the host team, UCSI Rising Star in their circuit opener. Despite leading by 12 at the break, NS Matrix Deers allowed their opponents back in the game through some careless turnovers but still escaped with the win due UCSI Rising Star’s inability to convert their game tying attempts.
Their second game against Penang Sunrise Youngsters was a more comfortable affair as the team started guns blazing with Jonathan Wong’s fine first quarter form building them an 18 point lead. They kept the lead in double digits for most of the game, never allowing Penang Sunrise Youngsters a chance at getting too close.
The flashy Singaporean guard, Jonathan Wong is starting to show why some consider him the best from Singapore with his fine form and clutch performance in Circuit 6. The arrival of his countryman, powerful big, Delvin Goh for the coming circuit will be a huge boost in the team’s two-peat aspiration.
Circuit 6 Star Performer:-
Dequan Abrom earned his second straight top performer billing with another balanced performance on both ends of the floor. Abrom averaged 20 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 3 APG and 5 SPG and is currently second (3.1) in the steals department
#2 KL ASEEL
Overall (4-9), Circuit 6 (3-0)
Dequan Abrom (Photo by: Amanda Soo)
Circuit 6 Results
vs Johor Southern Tigers 76-73 W
vs Penang Sunrise Youngsters 94-92 (OT) W
vs UCSI Rising Star 87-65 W
The huge story of Circuit 6 was the resurgence of KL Aseel after the addition of new import Lamonte Bearden.
After losing to Johor Southern Tigers by a point last weekend, KL Aseel got the last laugh this time with the addition of Bearden providing some much needed stability. The team held the lead for most of the fourth quarter and despite losing it briefly late in the game, this time they kept their cool, didn’t repeat their signature late game collapses and pushed through for the win, snapping their nine game losing streak, helped by a clutch Bearden basket.
In another crucial playoff picture game, things looked bleak for KL Aseel in the fourth quarter after Anthony Moe’s ejection for two unsportsmanlike fouls. Thankfully for KL Aseel, it was Bearden once again coming to the rescue, scoring six points to force overtime before the team suffered yet another blow with Bearden fouling out early in the overtime.
Against all odds, KL Aseel’s local line up showed nerves of steel and kept the game close, ultimately leading to Tem Zhen Jie’s incredible transition three pointer that gave them the lead for good with 16 seconds remaining.
Brimming with confidence, KL Aseel completed their circuit with a comfortable win over UCSI Rising Star, ensuring both teams and Penang Sunrise Youngsters are tied with four wins each.
Lamonte Bearden was a huge factor in his team’s change of fortunes.The 28 year old American guard had a stellar Circuit 6, averaging 19.3 PPG and 6.3 APG.
Circuit 6 Star Performer:-
Anthony Moe continues to stamp his claim for the title of Regular Season MVP with three huge showings in Circuit 6. The Guyanese averaged 24.3 PPG and 17 RPG in Circuit 6 and currently leads the league in three point shooting at 46.3%.
#3 JOHOR SOUTHERN TIGERS
Overall (11-3) , Circuit 6 (1-1)
Moses Morgan (Photo by: Amanda Soo
Circuit 6 Results
vs KL Aseel 73-76 L
vs UCSI Rising Star 68-61 W
Another mixed bag circuit for last season’s runners up as Johor Southern Tigers barely hang on to the No.1 seed due to their better head to head record against NS Matrix Deers.
After holding off KL Aseel’s comeback last week, Johor Southern Tigers couldn’t repeat their efforts and now hold the unfortunate distinction of being the team that allowed KL Aseel to break their nine game losing streak. The team overcame KL Aseel’s hot start , keeping the game close but ultimately falling to their third loss of the season through defensive lapses and forced shots in the closing minutes.
The team’s funk seemed to continue against UCSI Rising Star as they fell behind by 12 at the half time break with their offence running cold and seemingly distracted by the home crowd’s fan’s vuvuzelas.The third quarter was a much better affair as the Southerners found their focus, stepping up their intensity on defence and going on a 17-4 run to help them come away with the victory.
Despite ending the circuit with a win, the aura of invincibility of Johor Southern Tigers seems to be fading with their opponents figuring out their strategies as the season goes on. A showdown with NS Matrix Deers at the coming circuit will be a key clash to determine who finishes the season the No.1 seed.
Circuit 6 Star Performer:-
A bounce back circuit from Moses Morgan earns the Thai-American our spot as Johor Southern Tigers top performer of the week, averaging 20 PPG and 7.5 RPG, while shooting 48%. Morgan’s clutch shooting was instrumental in their comeback win against UCSI Rising Star and he is now only 11 points away from 500 Major Basketball League career points.
#4 PENANG SUNRISE YOUNGSTERS
Overall (4-11) Circuit 6 (0-2)
Jordan Tolbert (Photo by: Amanda Soo)
Circuit 6 Results
vs KL Aseel 92-94 (OT) L
vs NS Matrix Deers 68-82 L
It was a disappointing circuit in UCSI University for Penang Sunrise Youngsters as they lost both games, failing to ride the momentum of their victory over Johor Southern Tigers last weekend.
The overtime loss against KL Aseel will be a tough one to take as they didn’t take full advantage of their opponent’s imports fouling out of the game. Instead of using their size advantage, the team opted for outside shooting in their attempts to win the game, a move that didn’t pay off. Another puzzling decision was Jordan Tolbert opting to go for a dunk when the team was down by three in the dying seconds of overtime.
A win over KL Aseel would have been crucial as they would have earned a head to head advantage over them.
Facing NS Matrix Deers next, the Penangites paid for their cold start, falling behind by 18 and inspite of a career 20 points game from youngster Foo Jun Xian, the team couldn’t come close to making their opponents uncomfortable. It was a terrible day from beyond the arc for Jordan Tolbert and Cameron Satterwhite as the imports combined for 2/19.
Decision making is a key factor in winning games and it felt like Penang Sunrise Youngsters didn’t make the right calls against KL Aseel, ultimately leading to their fruitless circuit.
Circuit 6 Star Performer:-
Jordan Tolbert was their best player, averaging 21.5 PPG, 13.5 RPG and 3.5 SPG. The big man will be frustrated at not using his size advantage to help his team to the win against KL Aseel.
#5 – UCSI RISING STAR
Overall (4-10) Circuit 6 (0-3)
Tychique Bosango (left). (Photo by: Amanda Soo)
Circuit 6 Results
vs NS Matrix Deers 67-71 L
vs Johor Southern Tigers 61-68 L
vs KL Aseel 65-87 L
It was a homecoming gone wrong for UCSI Rising Star as they earned the label of being the only team without a win on their home court.
The team had an encouraging home opener against the defending champions, overcoming a 12 point halftime deficit to snatch a late lead before losing it and going cold, missing six potentially game tying or winning shots.
From ending the previous game cold to starting the next game hot, UCSI Rising Star was unstoppable early in the game against Johor Southern Tigers, starting on a 17-3. Unfortunately, they couldn’t keep the momentum going and once again lost their composure in the second half in the face of Johor Southern Tigers stifling defence. Poor decisions on offence didn’t do them any favours, slumping to another defeat.
Sapped of energy and confidence from their two previous losses, UCSI Rising Star didn’t even lead for a second and shot a miserable 26% in their loss against KL Aseel, leaving them on a four game losing streak.
An inability to make the correct game adjustments felt like the story of the day for UCSI Rising Star’s circuit. The team will also need to figure out how to incorporate Marcellus Roberts better into their offensive schemes. His average of 11 field goals attempted per game is the lowest among all imports.
Circuit 6 Star Performer:-
Congolese guard Tychique Bosango was their lone bright spot, averaging 22 PPG and 10 RPG. A worrying stat was Bosango playing a full 40 minutes in all three games leading to some questions of the quality of UCSI Rising Star’s overall squad.
Here’s the latest standings after Circuit 6.
