KUALA LUMPUR (Malaysia) – The NS Matrix Deers didn’t get the result they wanted, but they certainly gave their fans a show to remember.
In front of a sold-out, electric MABA Stadium, the Deers fell just short in a 98-95 double-overtime heartbreaker against Taoyuan Pauian Pilots, opening the inaugural Basketball Champions League Asia - East with a bang.
We just really would like to thank the Malaysia basketball fans...They never gave up on us. They were the sixth man.
It was a game that had everything - big runs, clutch shots, and two teams that refused to quit. The Pilots led by as many as 19 points, but the Deers stormed back, led by a flurry of deep threes from John Murry II, to force not one, but two extra periods.
"I thought it was a great game. The Pilots are an excellent basketball team," said NS Matrix head coach Felton Sealy. "They came at us from all directions, inside, outside. And I thought our team competed today. And that's what I asked of them: just come out and compete, the winning will take care of itself. We go double overtime, sometimes it comes down to a little bit of luck. We ran out of luck tonight."
Despite the narrow loss, the Deers earned respect for their effort and resilience - especially considering this was their first game together under a new system.
"The effort was great. And I think that with a little more time and preparation, I think the effort will just get even better.
"This is our first game as a team together and I believe most of the players are buying into a new defensive system and that takes a little time but I believe they understand the mission that we're on and I believe we'll get better in the next game."
For team captain Ong Wei Yong, the energy from the home crowd was unforgettable.
"I think we just ran out of time. We had our home fans to support us but we just couldn't get the win at home. It was a disappointing result for us.
"But it was just amazing. I loved the crowd, the shouting... everything. We love it. I hope in the next two games, it will be the same."
Coach Sealy echoed the sentiments of his team's captain.
"We just really would like to thank the Malaysia basketball fans, they were fantastic today.
"They never gave up on us. They were the sixth man. I told my team in practice that the Malaysian fans would be the sixth man and just had to meet the match. I believe that we met the match but we ran out of time and out of luck."
NS Matrix will continue to focus to the rest of the Group A, which also includes Pelita Jaya (Indonesia) and Bishrelt Metal (Mongolia). They're next test will be to face Bishrelt Metal on March 25 before closing out the window against Indonesian champions Pelita Jaya Basketball on March 27.
Their goal will be to finish among the top two teams, as that means moving on to the Final Four, and ultimately, a shot at the Basketball Champions League Asia.
The Deers may have started with a loss - but the mission is far from over. The crowd is behind them for this first window. The lessons have been learned. The journey continues.
FIBA