National cagers dedicate Asia tourney in Manila to late Jacky

PETALING JAYA: National cager Jacky Ng Kiat Kee’s sudden death last Sunday has cast a pall of gloom over the team’s preparations for the Fiba Asia Championships, which start in Manila today.

But it was always going to be an uphill task for Malaysia, who finished 11th overall in Wuhan in 2011 – having been drawn against defending champions China, bronze medallists South Korea and two-time champions Iran in Group C.

The only certainty this time is that the team will not go down without a fight in memory of the late Jacky.

The 1.96m Jacky, 25, was the team’s centre. He suffered a heart attack and collapsed on Sunday during a warm-up match in Jinjiang, China. He was pronounced dead two hours later.

And experienced point guard Ooi Ban Sin, 30, has called on the team to put up a performance that will make Jacky proud.

“Team morale is definitely low at the moment ... we’ve all lost a brother,” said Ban Sin, who played for Westports Malaysia Dragons in the Asean Basketball League earlier this year.

“We know that the challenge in Manila will be tough but we’re prepared to go out there and give it our best. This one’s for Jacky!”

Pahang’s Mak Lok Seng, 19, has been called to the squad following Jacky’s untimely demise.

The 1.94m-tall Lok Seng will serve as the back-up centre to Penang’s Foong Min Joe and Johor’s Wong Chin Yong. The other key player in the team is 2.02m-tall Kuek Tian Yuen.

Malaysia, with an average height of 1.89m, will certainly face an uphill challenge against the likes of Iran (1.99m), South Korea (1.95m) and China (2.02m).