Sorry not the hardest word for Kee Lip as 3x3 cagers miss target

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s 3x3 basketball coach Ee Kee Lip could not hold back his emotions as he apologised after his team’s dream of reaching the semi-finals at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games came to an end.

Kee Lip’s men, who impressed in the group stage by losing just once, were unable to reproduce that form in the knockout stage at the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) Hall on Tuesday.

Malaysia, represented by Chang Zi Fueng, Chong Zhen Yang, Ting Chun Hong and Ooi Xian Fu, battled hard but were unable to overcome a strong Scotland side comprising Kyle Jimenez, Fraser Malcolm, Owe McCormack and Skyler White.

They went down 21-16 in the quarter-finals.

“It’s really a pity. I’m very sorry that we couldn’t reach the semi-finals, but we will come back stronger,” said Kee Lip.

Although they fell short of their semi-final target, the Malaysians enjoyed an encouraging Commonwealth Games debut, finishing runners-up in Pool B after their only defeat - a narrow 21-19 loss to England.

Earlier, they kicked off their campaign with a 21-16 victory over Fiji before defeating Kenya 21-15 and neighbours Singapore by the same score to book their place in the quarter-finals.

Kee Lip was full of praise for his players’ efforts and believes the team have what it takes to go even further in the future.

“They are the best. Together we created miracles, more surprises and history for Malaysian fans,” he added.