JOHOR BAHRU (Malaysia) - Ting Chun Hong felt goosebumps all over when the Basketball Champions League-Asia East (BCL Asia-East 2026 caravan headed to Malaysia to play Group A games back in April.
It was the first time that this city hosted a BCL Asia event and fans trooped to the Arena Larkin Indoor Stadium to support the Johor Southern Tigers, something that the star winger himself could hardly believe.
"When I was playing at Johor Bahru, seeing so many fans in our home arena, that was the first time I truly felt the passion of Malaysian fans," recalled 'Mei Mei,' his eyes gleaming. "I hope it continues to be like that."
That particular game against Hi-Tech Basketball Club last April 17 drew nearly 5,000 fans and although they fell short in taking down the visitors, having that many screaming souls served as a ray of hope for him.
Because it shows that there is now growing interest in basketball within this nation where football and badminton dominate, a development which the Malaysia national team vanguard has long been dreaming to see.
Personally, I love basketball, and I hope the sport in Malaysia can develop to the level that other countries enjoy, where people genuinely follow and care about it.
But he's not just wishing for it to happen - he's doing his part to make it happen.
In recent years, Ting has been making Asia take notice of the country's game. In 2024, he became the first Malaysian to serve as an Asian import when he signed with the Macau Black Bears of the EASL.
The proud son of Kuala Lumpur didn't stop there. Just last November, he took his talents to Mongolia by signing with the Omni Erdenet Miners of The League, and then helped the club go as far as the Quarter-Finals.
"Honestly, I feel quite proud," he said of those overseas stints. "Nobody from Malaysia had done something like that before, so my goal was also to let more people know that Malaysians can play basketball."
Soon, Ting and the rest of the Southern Tigers will have another chance to show Malaysia's own brand of basketball, having qualified for the BCL Asia-East 2026 Final 6 which Johor Bahru are actually hosting.
"It is actually quite significant, because this is the first time we are hosting a BCL Asia event - a tournament of this scale - in Malaysia," he said gladly. "During the first ticket sales, the response was really encouraging."
"And, teams from many other countries are coming here. So it is quite a big deal," added the 10-year pro. "I think this may even be the first time something like this is happening in Southeast Asia."
It sure is going to be a challenging campaign for Johor, as they're situated in Group A with defending champions Chinggis Broncos of Mongolia and Indonesia's Dewa United Banten - teams he's grown familiar with.
Tough, yes, but such situations are precisely among the reasons why players like him were brought in prior to the season, with Ting banking on his vast experience particularly in competing in FIBA regional club contests.
"Any experience I have gathered, especially on the basketball side, I can share with the younger guys," assured the 30-year-old scorer, who played for the Malaysia Dragons and NS Matrix in past editions of BCL Asia.
"And since I joined this team as a local import player, I will do my best to help the team win," Ting added.
As difficult as the road ahead may be toward the kind of success they're hoping for, all of Johor only have their sights set on giving it all they have every given night - not just for themselves, but for a greater cause.
Furthering the game in their own way, that is.
"If Malaysian basketball gets more attention, it could potentially attract more resources and support," said Ting, who began playing for the Malaysian national team back in the 2014 FIBA U18 Asia Cup in Doha, Qatar.
"Personally, I love basketball, and I hope the sport in Malaysia can develop to the level that other countries enjoy," he continued, his voice filled with optimism, "where people genuinely follow and care about it."
FIBA