SEA Games 2017 Preview: Cambodia

Once again, the Cambodia National Team will be fielding a team featuring players based in the United States. It’s a bold attempt but with the core of players heading past their prime, will they finally be able to break into the semifinals?

[อ่านภาษาไทย คลิกที่นี่เลยครับ]

Overview

The Cambodia players are an interesting group since most are based far and away in the United States and only show up every two years for the SEA Games. Every once in a while, they pop up in a league (see Sophoeun Oeun/Saigon Heat, Dominic Dar/Madgoats) but for most of the time, the Cambodia basketball scene remains dormant.

And to be honest, it’s quite a shame.

The group of players that Cambodia has playing on their national team could actually start something if they were able to get consistent competition year round. Not to say they would be taking over the basketball world, but it’s not hard to imagine Cambodia being a surprise team every now and then.

Now in SEA Games 2017, it could very well be the last window in a while for Cambodia to make some noise. They are the oldest team on average (27.9 Years!!) and most of their projected contributors are over 30 (Hello Pek Mith). This is going to have to be the year for Cambodia or else it’s another rebuilding process.

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Players

First Name	Surname	DOB	Team
Pek	Mith	11/05/1985	N/A
Sopheen	Toun	14/06/1985	N/A
Dominic	Dar	25/02/1994	N/A
Sophoeun	Oeun	20/06/1986	N/A
William	Em	20/10/1983	N/A
Phatara	Khvan	25/06/1988	N/A
Vannak	Som	24/04/1983	N/A
Sophany	Phon	26/07/1993	N/A
Daniel	Meas	13/01/1992	N/A
Hour Pich	Bounchour	31/03/1990	N/A
Pheng	Dararithy	22/08/1991	N/A
Tommy	Chea	01/03/1997	N/A

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Schedule (According to Malaysia Time GMT +8)

20/8 14:45 PM vs. Singapore
21/8 09:00 AM vs. Vietnam
22/8 09:00 AM vs. Laos
23/8 15:45 PM vs. Indonesia

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Player(s) to Watch

Player	Notable Stats	Competition	Team
Pek Mith	28.4 MPG, 16.2 PPG, 8.4 RPG	SEA Games 2015	Cambodia
Dominic Dar	31.4 NPG, 8.8 PPG, 2.2 APG	SEA Games 2015	Cambodia
Daniel Meas	N/A	N/A	N/A
Tommy Chea	N/A	N/A	N/A

Pek Mith is definitely the guy who will be leading the charge for the Cambodia National Team with perimeter help from other familiar faces. However, the players who we should be looking at are the younger prospects that will be shouldering the weight of the national team in a couple of years.

This will be Dominic Dar‘s 3rd SEA Games duty and despite only being 23, he should be ready to step up as a leader.

The two newcomers Daniel Meas (25) and Tommy Chea (20) are also going to be worth taking a look at as well. It’s hard to project either of them, having never seen them play, but Cambodia needs youth which is what Meas and Chea brings to the table.

And hey, look at Meas’ glorious hair.

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What to Expect

I smell at least one surprise from this Cambodia National Team. I don’t know what kind of surprise it’ll be but that’s why makes it even more surprising!

In all seriousness though, Cambodia has the potential to pull the rug under Vietnam in their second game, but they’ll need to play a near perfect game.

AND I EXPECT ONE GODDAMN HAIR FLIP FROM DANIEL MEAS.

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3 Key Points

1. Don’t Run Around Like Headless Chickens
   One thing that really kept Cambodia behind in SEA Games 2015 was the fact that they couldn’t execute well in the half-court set. It’s not easy to be that prepared when you aren’t players who play professionally, but that’s something they (and the coaching staff) have really got to focus on.
2. Strike Fast
   As mentioned earlier, Cambodia has the potential to pull off an upset. A lot of that will be up to if they can come out guns ablazing early against Singapore/Vietnam. If they can keep Singapore/Vietnam on the tips of their toes early on maybe they can hold it for the whole game.
3. Get Daniel Meas in a Shampoo Commercial
   Seriously though. Dude deserves it.

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Bottom Line

Indonesia is a front runner for 1st place in Group B while Singapore/Vietnam are running a ran for that 2nd spot. Cambodia is looking into that 2nd spot role from the outside right now, but it’s not impossible to force themselves into the conversation.

Most likely their fate will be decided in their first game against Singapore and if they can somehow pull that upset (again, that’s very wishful thinking)… this could be the team that puts Cambodia on the basketball map.

More Previews

Philippines
Indonesia
Singapore
Thailand
Malaysia
Cambodia
Vietnam
Myanmar
Laos

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