A lack of depth leads to a loss for Matrix to Croatian club
KUALA LUMPUR: NS Matrix were made to pay the price for their squad’s lack of depth in the Seri Mutiara Cup.
The local team suffered their first loss in three matches when they went down 102-93 to Croatian club KK Split at the Maba Stadium yesterday.
Despite having a full roster of 12 players, the Matrix relied heavily on their five imports – Americans Jaleel Roberts, Keith Hornsby, Joseph John Avila and Bryson Fonville and Filipino Jeff Viernes.
Of the seven local players in the squad, only former national cager Gan Hong Hoong saw some action – averaging just 13 minutes in three matches.
The imports were clearly tired and it showed. Hornsby, who was Matrix’s top scorer in their first two matches, was limited to just 19 points. It was left to the 1.83m-tall Fonville to take over the scoring duties with 31 points.
Split, who suffered an unlucky 90-89 defeat to Taiwan’s Fubon Braves on Wednesday, put up a better rotation to finish as Group B winners.
Pavle Marcinkovic top scored for Split with 25 points while 19-year-old Mate Kalajzic chipped in with 18 points.
“Matrix are a team who don’t care about rotation. They were just playing with five players,” said Split head coach Ante Marovic.
“And that helped us. It’s important to have depth and rotation in tournaments like this where we play a few matches in a row.
“This win has boosted our confidence following our terrible performance against the Braves. We are ready for the semi-finals.”
Matrix head coach Brian Lester admitted that he found it hard to field the local cagers as “they are not up to the mark”.
“It’s not easy rotating the squad.
“The imports have had to play more minutes because there is a big gap in standard between them and the locals,” said the Australian, who had previously coached the Malaysian team from 1995-1996 and 2003-2006.
Changwon LG Sakers picked up their second win in Group B yesterday by thumping a hapless Kano Pillars of Nigeria 90-69.
Wingman Justin Tubbs led the Sakers with 15 points while centre Kim Jong-kyu had 14 points and 14 rebounds.