Two clubs to get a chance to compete in Agong Cup

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Basketball Association (MABA)-Matrix 60th Agong Cup will see clubs competing for a spot in the coveted national championship for the first time.

The move is part of MABA’s efforts to facilitate local clubs’ desire to compete at a higher level.

And the seven clubs will have to go through a five-day qualifying round from Dec 19-23 to vie for participation in the Finals from Dec 26-30 at the Maba Satdium.

Selangor Speed Hunters, Perak Farmco Knight, Labuan Basketball Association and Miri Firehorse will fight it out in Group A, while NS Matrix, Malacca STK and Westports Malaysia Dragons were drawn in Group B.

The top two teams from each group will compete in a playoff round, where the winners and the runners-up will proceed into the Finals.

In the Finals, defending champions Negri Sembilan are drawn with MABA Selection, Armed Forces (ATM) and the winners of the qualifying round in Group A.

Group B comprises Police, Perak, Pahang and the runners-up of the qualifying round.

In the women’s Agong Cup, five teams will vie for the title in a round-robin format with the team that tops the table to be crowned the champions.

The teams playing are Segamat BA, Negri Sembilan, Terengganu, Hatchers Sports Club and Matrix BC.

For the 24th edition of the MABA Cup, defending champions Negri Sembilan were drawn with Sarawak, Penang, Titans BC and Gostring Club in Group A.

And in Group B, last year’s runners-up Pahang were placed with Putrajaya, Perak, Terengganu ATM and Ansara Club.

The draws for both competitions were done at Wisma MABA yesterday.