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The Selangor Menteri Besar Cup (MB Cup) 2008 edition will be kicking off today (12 July 2008) at the Pusat Sukan UiTM Shah Alam. The tournament will be played from 12 July until 22 July 2008.

Featuring 16 teams this year, each team will look to battle it out to be crowned the Champions on Selangor Non Chinese basketball. The best players in the tournament will be selected to represent Selangor in the upcoming Petronas Cup.

Defending champions Pegasus will not be in the fray this year. This means that Swoosh, Transit Phantoms UiTM are the favourites to take home the silverware this season.

ADAN, Cocoro, Dyna Sports, Flames, and Scorekeys are also title contenders for this year’s edition of the MB Cup. Other teams that are participating in this tournament are Arcanes, Intec, UKM Bangi, Intec, UBSA, Termites, Royals, S7U.

Below are the groupings for the tournament:

For game schedule, please refer to UiTM’s website.

Here are the fixtures & prediction for Remix Non Chinese Basketball League Week 5 (13 July 2008) games for Group B. Matches will be played in Court B, Pusat Rekreasi JKKK Balakong, Selangor.

10.00 AM – KPTM vs. Phantoms

Was KPTM’s victory last week legit? We’ll see if that is the case this week.

KPTM is in Cloud 9 after beating 2007 semi-finalist Flames last week by a narrow 1 point margin. They would definitely want to prove that they are a genuine article by posting a narrow loss or even a victory against the mighty Phantoms.

Mislan aka basketballplayer has commented that Phantoms will not take things for granted when they face KPTM this weekend. Phantoms should have their full lineup this weekend for the game.

As much as I’d like to shower apple crumbles on this prediction, the reality is way too obvious. Phantoms is a full 15 years more experienced than KPTM, and the game WILL BE OVER BY HALFTIME. There, another big-mouthed prediction from me. (if it isn’t, I’m calling BPR to action lol).

My Prediction – Phantoms will win by at least 20 points. Anything less means Phantoms is holding back.

11.30 AM – Leykens vs. Flames *GAME OF THE WEEK*

Flames are looking to win this week. After an embarrassing display last week, Flames will want to have their full lineup against a consistent Leykens squad.

Leykens are in full throttle in this tournament, posting wins when they should and providing a scare to the Phantoms before losing. With an experienced player-coach Khairil guiding these explosive “Seattlewangsa” kids, Leykens are growing in a scary pace.

This should be the Game of the Week for Group B as it will cement Lykens trip to the Quarter-Finals, and it is a make-it-or-break-it game for Flames. If they lose this game, the Flames can kiss their NCBL 2008 season goodbye.

My Prediction – The Flames will be firing on all cylinders, but Lykens will prevail in this matchup. Lykens win by the tightest margin.

1.00 PM – Snipers vs. Stallions

Stallions win, period. I love the Snipers for their tenacity and spirit, but the lack of a reliable floor leader is hurting them too much. Ball movement into the front court is also a problem, causing too many turnovers or forced shots by their guards.

Stallions will look to rest their stars in this game and give the ex-J3 trainees a chance to sharpen their game senses.

My Prediction – Stallions by 10 points.

2.30 PM – Swoosh vs. Cons

No problem for Swoosh in this one. Scoring an average of 81 points per game, Swoosh has swept every opponents under the rug with ease so far in this tournament.

Cons are coming off their first victory last week, and confidence is high for this ball club. However they are heavily dependent on Sunil alone to create the offense for them, and this has proven unfavourable results for them. Until everyone else in the team can carry the load together, Cons will find themselves short again in this game.

My Prediction – Swoosh win by 15 points.

Here are the fixtures & prediction for Remix Non Chinese Basketball League Week 5 (13 July 2008) games for Group A. Matches will be played in Court A, Pusat Rekreasi JKKK Balakong, Selangor.

10.00 AM – UBSA vs. Pegasus

This encounter will be nothing short of an entertaining ball game. UBSA & Pegasus were sparring partners every Friday night in Puchong in 2006-07, beating almost all other Chinese teams present and conquering the court ’till 4am.

To say that they know each other is an understatement. Both teams have the knowledge of each other’s players, playing styles, and strategies, and nothing will come as a surprise.

An uptempo game will be expected of these two, unless if they come to the game with an eyebag and hangovers from Saturday night’s activity.

I have my money on Pegasus on this one – their experience, defense, and solid line-up will provide the difference in this game. UBSA’s pass-happy game will be hampered by the tight 3-2 Pegasus defense, forcing them to turn to their big guys, who will have a problem against Pegasus’s unlimited source of big men.

If UBSA can provide support to Arif "Naruto" in terms of finding openings and converting their chances, this game will be decided in the 4th quarter.

My Prediction – Pegasus by 15 points

11.30 AM – Cocoro vs. Scorekeys *GAME OF THE WEEK*

Both teams have lost once, both teams have 7 points, and both teams want the second spot in Group A. Question is, who wants it more?

Scorekeys came off with a great win last week against UBSA in which lead changes were as common as orange juice in a Malay drama. Good ball movement and constant inside threat by PG Wan provided the spark while other Scorekeys provided good support in finding openings and converting their chances. I am truly amazed with their big center #15. He barely touches the ball but he makes the most of out of it. Each time the ball is in his hands, it’s 2 points for Scorekeys. With a strong attack to the basket and very stable hands, #15 will be a force to reckon with.

Cocoro did have a good game despite losing last week. Faiz "Motherboard" is back in their lineup and is a constant threat inside out. Ajiem & Fa contributed nicely with perimeter shooting and three pointers. The bench also contributed in rebounds and hustle play. Cocoro looked organized both offensively and defensively, and I predict that they will do the same this week.

It will be a hard fought game, and I predict it will go Cocoro’s way.

My Prediction – Cocoro will win by a small margin.

1.00 PM – Titan vs. Valliers

Titan has yet to win in this tournament, and they will be hungry to notch up their first win in this week’s game against Valliers.

Valliers have tasted victory with their first win last week against ATM, and will want to continue their form this week. The Twin Towers of Alin and Zaidi will be tough to stop for the Titan, and this is the X Factor of this game, in which I predict Valliers will win.

My Prediction – Valliers win by 10-20 points

2.30 PM – ATM vs. Prinze

The young guns of Prinze has had a good campaign so far, winning two games and losing two. The team is comprised of tournament rookies, and they have a great future ahead of them if they stick together.

Prinze will be facing a more experienced ATM team whose had spells in the Petronas Cup and Agong Cup. ATM is determined to lick their wounds and battle it out this week after losing to Valliers last week.

I’d say it will be an even game, but I’d love to see the young guns win. Let’s just say it’s the same case as all the "MU haters" out there.

My Prediction – Prinze will win by a small margin.