By Daniel Richardson
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – March 19, 2026 – The Johor South Tigers, reigning champions of the Malaysia Basketball League (MBL), are set to receive a significant boost as star guard Chen Chunhong, known affectionately as “Mei Mei,” is expected to join the team’s preparations for the upcoming FIBA Asia Cup East Asia Region qualification tournament within the next few days. The addition of Chen provides a timely lift as the Tigers prepare for a challenging campaign on the continental stage.
The Johor South Tigers are gearing up for their debut in the FIBA Asia Cup, a competition that represents a significant step up in competition for the Malaysian champions. They will travel to Jakarta next weekend to compete in the East Asia region qualification tournament, facing tough opposition from across the region.
Return from Mongolia
Chen Chunhong recently completed his commitments with his club team in the Mongolian league. His team, the Miners, were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by a team led by former NBA player JaVale McGee, commonly known as “Cousins.” This early exit means Chen is potentially available to join the Tigers sooner than anticipated.
Johor South Tigers team manager Huang Xinqiang confirmed Chen’s impending arrival, stating, “As far as I know, Mei Mei has returned to Johor Bahru and is expected to join the team for training within the next few days. Of course, we also want to offer him some rest, and we will first ask about his willingness.”
Chen’s loan move from Negeri Sembilan Matrix adds a crucial piece to the Tigers’ puzzle as they prepare to compete on the Asian stage, significantly enhancing their offensive and defensive capabilities.
Balancing Club and National Team Duties
Huang Xinqiang also revealed that Chen Chunhong will balance his commitments with the Tigers in the FIBA Asia Cup with his duties for the Malaysian national 3×3 team. This dual commitment highlights Chen’s importance to Malaysian basketball.
In the FIBA Asia Cup East Asia region qualification stage, the Tigers will face a challenging group that includes Indonesia League champions Dewa United and Thailand’s traditional powerhouse Hi-Tech. Their opening match will be a tough test against Hi-Tech.
Positive Preparations for the Tigers
With just one week remaining before their historic first FIBA Asia Cup match, Huang Xinqiang expressed satisfaction with the team’s preparations. “All three of our foreign players – Scotty Lewis, Hill, and Aaron Grampus – have already arrived, and the team is currently working on building cohesion in preparation for the first match. We plan to travel a day early (March 27th) to acclimatize to the conditions,” he said.
The Tigers will host the second stage of the East Asia region qualification tournament at the Lakin Sports Hall, which has a capacity of 7,000 spectators, in April. They will face Dewa United and Hi-Tech on their home court.
The Johor South Tigers’ participation in the FIBA Asia Cup represents a significant moment for Malaysian basketball, and the return of Chen Chunhong provides a major boost to their chances of success. The team’s preparations are progressing well, and they are eager to make their mark on the continental stage.
Fans can follow the Johor South Tigers’ progress on their official social media channels for updates and further information.
