Beijing Fly Dragons set to take flight with Marbury calling the shots
PETALING JAYA: With basketball fast gaining popularity, the third edition of the Seri Mutiara Cup – which begins at the Maba Stadium today – could not have come at a better time.
Basketball was a hit at last month’s KL SEA Games, with the 1,600-capacity Maba Stadium packed daily as the national women’s team won gold while the men finished fifth.
And the seven-day eight-team Seri Mutiara meet, which is a toptier international invitational competition, is set to ride on the wave of support for the game.
Leading the way will be defending champions Guangzhou Securities Long Lions, who will feature the 2.12m-tall 19-year-old rising star Fan Ziming.
Beijing Fly Dragons, also of China, boast more star power as they have two top names in their ranks – former NBA All-Star Stephon Marbury and former NBA player Shavlik Randolph.
Japan’s B.League champions Link Tochigi Brex will be led by veteran Yuta Tabusa, who is the only Japanese player to have played in the NBA.
Keep an eye also on Taiwan’s Fubon Braves, who have NBA star Jeremy Lin’s younger brother Joseph in their roster.
The other three foreign teams are Changwon LG Sakers (South Korea), KK Split (Croatia) and the Kano Pillars (Nigeria).
Malaysia will be represented by national champions NS Matrix, who have been bolstered by the inclusion of three players – Keith Hornsby, Joseph John Avila and Bryson Fonville.
The trio played for the Texas Legends in the NBA G League (formerly NBA Development League).
“The fact that top-class teams are coming to Malaysia is great for the sport and the fans here,” said event promoter NBL Asia’s chief executive officer Tan Kee Hian.
“We started with four local and two foreign teams in 2015. Now, we have seven international teams and, of course, Matrix.
“It’s also great that players like Marbury are coming. Their presence will help generate more interest in basketball here.”
Daily tickets are priced at RM20 (adults) and RM10 (students).