Cagers back to square one

02/01/1999

THE Malaysian women's basketball team, already facing a dearth of capable
substitutes, will not have the services of three key players for the third
South-East Asian Basketball (SEABA) championship in Bangkok in March.
The trio, who played a pivotal role in bringing home the 1997 Sea Games
gold from Jakarta after a lapse of 12 years, have decided to retire from
the sport.
"Chong Siew Kian and Wong Sow Foong quit the national team soon after
the Malaysian Basketball League (MBL) while Chew Kun Nee left for the
United States in August to further her education," said national coach Tan
See Wah yesterday.
The Malaysian women defeated the Philippines in the final of the Sea
Games to give the women's game a much needed boost, but it looks like the
national team are back to square one for now.
Tan, however, begs to differ.
"Although the three players would have made a great difference to the
team, we still have a handful of juniors who can fill the vacuum.
"Their absence does not mean we won't have a fighting chance of winning
the SEABA title."
In the last championship, also in Bangkok, Malaysia finished third
behind champions Philippines and Thailand.
"Since we beat the Philippines at the Sea Games, they will surely go all
out to avenge that defeat. The women will have to dig deeper into their
reserves to become the South-East Asian champions," said Tan.
The Malaysian Amateur Basketball Association (MABA) will use the SEABA
championship to prepare for the Brunei Sea Games although there might be a
snag there, too.
"We are still not sure whether Brunei will include women's basketball as
one of the Sea Games events. We have yet to receive confirmation from
them.
"But we will continue training and competing at international events to
be on the safe side."
As part of the Sea Games preparations, the women cagers will take part
in the 18th Asian championship in Japan on May 2-9.
(END)