Sabah 2 Edges Past ATM in Tight Malaysia MABA Cup Encounter

In a fiercely contested Malaysia MABA Cup fixture on 22 July 2026, Sabah 2 secured a hard-fought 72–63 victory over ATM at the national basketball arena. The away side’s disciplined second-half performance proved decisive in a match that saw momentum swing several times inside the court.

Both teams entered the game with strong intentions, but it was Sabah 2 who ultimately controlled the tempo after the break. The result keeps Sabah 2 in contention for the knockout stages, while ATM will rue missed opportunities in the fourth quarter.

Match Overview

From the opening tip-off, ATM matched Sabah 2’s intensity. The first quarter ended with a narrow 18–16 lead for the visitors, but ATM quickly responded in the second period, taking a slim 33–31 advantage into halftime. The key shift came after the interval: Sabah 2 tightened their defense, limiting ATM to only 12 points in the third quarter while racing to a 52–45 lead.

ATM pushed back in the final period, cutting the deficit to two points with five minutes remaining. However, Sabah 2’s backcourt duo combined for a critical 8–0 run that sealed the game. ATM’s late fouls allowed Sabah 2 to ice the match from the free-throw line, finishing 72–63.

Key Performance Factors

• Defensive pressure – Sabah 2 forced 14 turnovers, converting them into 19 points, a major factor in their victory.
• Rebounding dominance – Sabah 2 outrebounded ATM 40–32, particularly on the offensive glass (12–6), generating second-chance opportunities.
• Free-throw efficiency – Sabah 2 shot 85% from the line (17-of-20) down the stretch, while ATM managed only 60% (9-of-15).
• Bench contribution – Sabah 2’s reserves outscored ATM’s bench 24–10, providing valuable energy in the decisive second half.

Star Players

For Sabah 2, guard Lim Wei Jie led all scorers with 22 points, including three three-pointers, and added 6 assists. Forward Hafiz bin Khalid recorded a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds, anchoring both ends of the floor.

ATM’s standout was Muhammad Faiz, who poured in 20 points and 4 steals. Center Tan Chee Hong contributed 12 points and 8 rebounds, but foul trouble limited his minutes in the critical third quarter.

Season and Table Impact

The win lifted Sabah 2 to a 3–2 record in the Malaysia MABA Cup group stage, moving them into second place in their pool. ATM dropped to 2–3, now tied with another team for the final playoff berth. Every remaining game carries added weight for both sides.

Sabah 2 will look to build on this momentum when they face league leaders Selangor next week, while ATM must regroup quickly for a must-win matchup against Penang. The tight standings promise a thrilling conclusion to the group phase.