KLANG: Westports Malaysia Dragons will be fielding a young and experimental team for the Malaysian National Basketball League (MNBL) which starts from Sept 6-29.
The only Dragons players retained from their Asean Basketball League (ABL) roster are youngsters Loh Shee Fai, Kwan Yoong Jing, Kuek Tian Yuen and Izran Edika Kamaruddin.
Captain B. Guganeswaran has been given leave to play for rivals Miri Firehorse, while centre Chee Li Wei and experienced point guard Ooi Ban Sin will represent newcomers Kelantan Warriors and defending champions Farmcochem respectively.
Two other experienced players – John Ng and K. Satyaseelan – are on the crock list.
In their absence, the Dragons went on a recruitment drive and brought in several youngsters such as 17-year-old Wong Yi Hou, who represented Malaysia in the recent Asian Youth Games, Ong Chun Khee, Chiang Wei Er, Tan Wing Jet, Tung Chee Keong and Penangites Foong Min Joe and Loo Lian Wei.
The Dragons have also recruited two imports – Filipino guard Avery Roberto Scharer, and 2.13m centre Travis Hyman who last played in the NBA Development League.
Despite being significantly weaker, Dragons head coach Ariel Vanguardia remains positive. He believes that it is a perfect opportunity for the younger players to step up to the plate.
“It is definitely a very raw team ... but I like the line-up,” said Vanguardia, after the team’s first training session at the Pandamaran Basketball Court in Klang on Sunday.
“This is a good opportunity for the fans to see some of the new faces in Malaysian basketball. It also allows some of my younger players like Shee Fai, Tian Yuen and Yoong Jing to shoulder some responsibilities.
“Our objective is to develop basketball and we are doing that by allowing players who are not in the national team to represent us.
“Due to this policy, we’re definitely much weaker this time. It’ll be a massive challenge in the MNBL. I think reaching the semi-finals would be a good achievement.
“The advantage though is that we’re up for the challenge and the team is a lot hungrier. We’ve also been working on a different approach on the game ... less post ups, more drives and we’ll be ready to spring a few surprises,” said Vanguardia.
The MNBL will feature five teams – Dragons, Firehorse, Farmcochem, Warriors and newcomers Bintulu Eagle.
Meanwhile, the Dragons team and juniors from the Klang Basketball Association (KBA) attended a coaching clinic conducted by former NBA star Brian Cardinal and WNBA Hall of Famer Sue Wicks on Sunday.
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