NCBasketball.net

The Non Chinese Basketball League 2009 (NCBL 09) season is set! The first game of the season will be played on 17 May 2009.

This season will feature the introduction of a 2 division format. With the increasing number of teams participating (26 teams this year compared to 16 last year), it is only viable that the league is split into 2 divisions.

Division 1 consists of 10 teams with a track record  in the Non Chinese Basketball League history, while Division 2 is split into 2 groups of 8 (16 teams total).

The venue for the tournament has not been confirmed yet as there is pending sponsorship deal from a well known public listed company. If the deal goes through, the league may be played at the MABA Stadium for the whole season

Here’s the breakdown of the Divisions:

DIVISION 1

The top 10 teams who have participated in the NCBL before. Division 1 consists of the following teams:

1. Swoosh (Reigning Champion)
2. Pegasus
3. Phantoms
4. Flames
5. Cocoro
6. Cons
7. Scorekeys
8. UBSA
9. Lycans
10. Prinze

The top 4 teams will advance to the Semi-Final stage, and winner of each semis will play the Championship Game.

The bottom 3 teams will be relegated to Division 2 next season (NCBL 2010).

I can’t confirm the total prize for the winners, but the Champion will receive RM5000 cash. That’s alotta money!

DIVISION 2

16 teams are split into 2 groups of 8. Here is the breakdown:

Group A

1. Archers
2. Zero
3. Griffin
4. Snipers
5. Swoosh II
6. Amfabia Froggers
7. Benchwarmers
8. Army

Group B

1. Phoenix
2. KPTM
3. Arion
4. Ying Hong
5. Rebound
6. Malaya Titan
7. Titans
8. Hurricanes

The top 4 teams from each group (total of 8 teams) will advance to the Quarter Final stage, which is in a round robin format.

The top 3 teams from Division 2 (Champion, 1st and 2nd Runner up) will be promoted to Division 1 next season.

As for the prizes for Division 2, the Champion will receive RM1500 cash. However, there has been talks on the increase of this prize money.

Looking forward to a glorious 2009 season! NCBL has grown length & breadth since its humble beginnings in 2006, and this 4th edition of the tournament WILL spring some surprises and higher expectations. Good Luck for all the teams!