KUALA LUMPUR (FIBA Asia Cup 2021 SEABA Pre-Qualifier) - Malaysia in one of the top basketball programs in the South East Asia region, featuring a couple of Gold Medals and a total of 8 medals in the SEABA Championships, both feats second only to the Philippines. However, with the consistent domination of the Philippines and recent surges of neighbouring powerhouses like Indonesia and Thailand, Malaysia are starting to feel the urge to make some shifts and changes to keep up with the top of the pack.

 “WE ARE A YOUNG TEAM BY INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS AND OUR EXPECTATIONS ARE TO BE AS COMPETITIVE AS POSSIBLE - BRIAN LESTER

National Team Head Coach Brian Lester is among one of those changes, but one that is not exactly considered “new” to the National Team program. 

In between coaching jobs in Australia, Qatar, Syria, and United Arab Emirates, the Australian native also coached the Malaysia National Team back in 2005-2006 as well, making this stint in the upcoming FIBA Asia Cup 2021 SEABA Pre-qualifiers feel more like a return.

The last time Lester headed the Malaysia National Team, it resulted in them winning the SEABA Championship Gold in 2005 which was also the last time they won the tournament. He acknowledges that Malaysia might have fallen half a step behind, but he’s positive about the upcoming future and certainly looking to gain success from this tournament to gain traction.

Lester credits the participation in professional leagues for Thailand, Indonesia, and Singapore resulting to their rise of success and he feels that Malaysia are going forward in the right direction to catch up. 

“In Malaysia, we have just kicked off our development league championship which is a positive start and a lead in to a main league in the second half of the year,” explains Lester, who is also the Head Coach of the NS Matrix Club in Malaysia. “We are behind the rest of South East Asia in this regard, but it is a positive start and a new direction from the Malaysia Basketball Association.” 

Click HERE to see Malaysia's roster

“We are definitely in a re-building phase now as we have 6 main players either retired or not available from last year’s competition including Perry Lim who was last year’s top scorer and top rebounder.”

 Missing out on the services of sharpshooting Loh Shee Fai and defensive anchor Chee Li Wei is a tough blow, but Lester can still rely on his young core that has continued to display plenty of promise.

 “We are a young team by international standards and our expectations are to be as competitive as possible.” 

National Team regulars Kuek Tian Yuan, Ivan Yeo, and Wong Yi Hou are expected to be the featured players on this team. Breakout performer of the SEABA Championship 2017 team Chun Hong Ting (12.7 points, 45.5 3P%) is projected to be a key contributor. The players should have no problem in terms of chemistry as they generally play on the same club team, but Coach Lester has made sure there has been plenty of time for preparation nonetheless.

 “We have been practicing for nearly 3 months now and we will go to China [on the 16^th] for a one-week tournament before travelling direct to Thailand.” Lester says of the team’s readiness.


The Malaysia National Team is loaded with talented players on the wing as mentioned, but Lester has expressed that the key player to this team’s success will be the speedy facilitating point guard, Teo Kok Hou.

“He is a leader from the point guard spot and can make big plays when needed.” Lester says of his floor general. Kok Hou led the team in assists (3.5) during the SEABA Championship 2017 and he’s going to have to do the same against opposing South East Asian teams. 

It’s been a while since the Malaysia National Team has tasted gold in international competition. The talent has shown significant improvement spread out across the roster and now they are returning a Head Coach who has a history of leading them to success.

 FIBA