Yiek Chai Teck
BINTULU: Local talent boosted by foreign imports will provide Malaysia’s challenge for the inaugural Sarawak Chief Minister Cup International Basketball Invitational to be held here from Sept 30 to Oct 5.
The Malaysia-born players, who range from 175-196cm in height, has a mix of experience and youth.
Young players like centres-cum-power forwards Choo Wei Hong (196cm) and Mak Lok Seng (194cm) will be out to stake permanent places in the national team. The team will also feature four Sarawak players Chai Chze Hian, Yiek Chai Tek, Lau Bik Ing and Chia Kah Siang who will hope to impress home fans.
Veteran players are expected to bring stability and composure to the team. Key among them will be shooting forward Yiek (190cm) who in previous years helped local clubs Sarawak Fire Horse and Bintulu Rainbow to lift the semi-pro National Basketball League (NBL) title twice.
The taller foreign import players are expected to contribute to multiple roles such as containing taller opposing players, and providing the offensive firepower and rebounding prowess.
Chris Kuete from Cameroon at 195cm may be the shortest of the three imports expected to play in Bintulu next week.
But he is already quite well known to local fans since he made his debut in NBL in 2007. He has been MVP four times in the NBL and led Farmcochem to the championship two years ago.
Team manager for the Malaysian team is Dato Billy Abit Joo. The head coach is Paul Daniel Advincula from the Philippines who was hired by Malaysia Basketball Association last year to helm the national team.