KUCHING: Sarawak boys will have a good chance of making it to the semi-finals of the Malaysian Schools Sports Council (MSSM) U-18 Basketball Championship in Penang from June 2-8.
MSS Sarawak basketball technical chairman Chua Seng Huat said the boys have always been doing well in the national championship and this year, the team looks good to make the last four of the competition again.
“We have even won the championship or finished runner-up in the past and the boys have always finished among the top eight teams,” he said yesterday.
However, it will depend very much on how the players gel together with each other and how strong their teamwork and fighting spirit is during the competition.
“Form will also count for much on competition day,” he added.
Chua said the 24 players will most probably commence their centralised training in Kuching during the schools holidays from May 25-31.
“They will fly to Kuala Lumpur and transit to Penang on June 1,” he said.
As for the girls, Chua is not too optimistic of their chances but hoped they would be able to finish among the top eight teams.
“If they can play well together, I think they will also have the chance to reach the last four,” he said.
Sibu players will form the backbone of state’s challenge as seven of their boys and seven girls have been named to the state squads at the conclusion of the Sarawak Schools Sports Council U-18 meet at Kota Sentosa, here on Thursday.
The boys are Tang Seng Ta, Ting Huong Ling, Tie Sing Cher, Julian Sia Yiik Heng, Wong King Ming and Warren Tie Ang Kong while the selected girls are Patricia Yong Yun Ying, Sia King Ming, Law Ting Siang, Sharon Tie Siew Wei, Too Jin Ling, Tan Joo Ngee and Shirley Lau Kho Ee.
Others members of the boys team are Augustine Siaw Jun Ru, Tiang Lee Chai and Chrez Brezinski Babai from Miri, Kelvin Lau Ong Hong and Tan Kwang Chwen of Bintulu, and Jarrel Ling Hoe Chung from Kuching.
The girls team include Richelle Kon Li Zhi, Khoo Yik Sian and Chong Mui Khiun from Kuching, Chuo Kin Leng of Sarikei and Cleo Tay Hxuen of Miri.