Kuek Tian Yuan leads eager Malaysia in preparation for tough final stretch of Qualifiers

 MELAKA (Malaysia) - As the final window of the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 Qualifiers approach, Malaysia are preparing for the tough task of making it out of Group A. They are grouped together with powerhouses in China, Japan, and Chinese Taipei, teams who regularly compete and contend for the Asia Cup.

Malaysia Basketball Association (MABA) recently hosted a national team selection camp in Melaka from 8-10 January. The process will help the coaching staff narrow down a list of 29 players who responded to the call up down to the final 12 representatives that will be playing in Window 3 of the Asia Cup Qualifiers.

"After what I have seen from the few training sessions that we have had, I can say the boys are training very hard and well," said Ee Kee Lip, the head coach appointed for this window, as per the Malaysia Basketball Association Facebook Page. "It is also great to see that so many of the players are so proud to want to wear the national jersey. I am confident these trials will go well."

The 29 players that attended the selection camp included both those who played for Malaysia through the Asia Cup Pre-Qualifiers and in Window 1 of the Asia Cup Qualifiers. Thea Zhong Shin, Wee Young Gan, and Wee Chuan Chin all played over 20 minutes in Malaysia’s lone game in the Quallifiers so far. Meanwhile, Yek Liang Chuan, Wong Yi Hou, and Ting Chun Hong have been the promising youngsters that have been featured on the national team throughout the recent years, including the Asia Cup Pre-Qualifiers.

"The attitude of the players and coaches have been amazing," said Ting, as per the Malaysia Basketball Association Facebook Page. "One thing that also impresses me is that the younger and older players are giving it their full 110 percent effort as everyone wants to make that final squad of 12 to play in this international tournament. We all want to make this team."

One player who is a favorite to make the final squad is Kuek Tian Yuan. Not only does Kuek possess a mix of height and shooting that makes him a threat on the court, he’s been Malaysia’s vocal leader on and off the court. The youngsters look up to the 29-year-old and his peers respect him as well.

"I hope that with my accumulated experiences over the years, this will help us to focus on our strengths. Along with the certain tacit and understanding of my teammates, it will lead us to achieve our goals," Kuek told FIBA.basketball.

The situation has been different from usual to prepare the team, but Kuek is confident that Malaysia will find the way to make the best of it.

"Due to Covid-19, we are not allowed to practice as usual, neither to participate in different competitions or against other players from different countries as frequently as before COVID-19," he explained.

"At the beginning, it was hard for us to adapt to this new phase of our daily routine. Not to mention the lockdown and so on, not knowing when will be the next time that we will be able to get back to the basketball court to play again. It took us some time to adapt, come up with plans to compromise to the current situation and still keep up our own best condition."

"After few intensive trainings, every player is more confident about their own strengths and opportunities on the court and everyone hopes to fight every challenge in the best condition when COVID-19 is finally under control."

With just a bit over one month to go left before the final window, Malaysia are putting in all their efforts to ready.

"At the moment, we are focusing on maintaining our physical and mental health by participating in our training camp. Therefore we can keep up our strength up and be ready for the next possible game," Kuek said.

Their opponents - whether it’s Japan, Chinese Taipei, or China - might have the upper hand as favorites coming into each matchup against Malaysia, but the underdogs are not going to roll over that easily. They will head into game time prepared to make their fans proud.

"Beside our strengths, we are very clear about our weaknesses and also the strengths and weaknesses of our opponents. We continue training and developing our best, in order to perform our best in the future."

FIBA