Lau (left) and Chin after a training session at MBKS Indoor Stadium in Pending recently.
KUCHING: Shoring up their defence will be Lord Tiger’s main priority when they take to the court for the semi-finals of the inaugural Yuwang EBL Basketball League at MBKS Indoor Stadium today.
And new coach Lau Boon Hui will want to stick to that main strategy to ensure success in the semi-finals, based on the best of three games, against Miri Fire Horse as they battle for the ticket to the final.
The former national cager has replaced American coach Kevin Antoine Reece who had felt unwell during the Miri Circuit and immediately resigned upon his return to Kuching.
Reece led Lord Tiger to a creditable second-place finish with six wins, six losses after the four-leg circuit in Kuching, Labuan, Kota Kinabalu and Miri.
After Reece’s resignation, team manager Chin Tzin Shien said Lord Tiger looked to Lau, who is nicknamed “Eagle Eye”, for salvation.
Lau joined the national squad in 1985, became the main point guard in 1988 and played for the country for 11 years.
He also coached the Sarawak team to three gold medals in Sukma in the 1990s.
Lau had initially declined to shoulder such a heavy responsibility but it was hard for him to say no to Lord Tiger’s request as the whole team and officials seek his help.
He hoped that with his many years of playing and coaching experience and the team’s high spirit and determination, they can advance to the final.
Lau, who left the national team in 1996, is confident that the local players have gelled well with the three Filipino import players
after being together for two months.
The other semi-finals will be played between Kota Kinabalu Eagles and Labuan Wasps.