Johor Southern Tigers Crowned MBL U23 D-League Champions 2026

Johor Southern Tigers are the Major Basketball League (MBL) U23 2026 champions. They dominated NS Matrix Deers 95-77 in the final at Karisma Arena to win the season's title by 18 points.

The Tigers did it away from home. Karisma Arena is NS Matrix Deers' home venue in Seremban, and the Deers could not turn that advantage into a win. Wikipedia

Leading the way was #0 Lim Chee Wei, named Player of the Game with 32 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals. He was the Tigers' main scoring threat and also drove their play-making and defence.

The result is another proud moment for a club that has grown steadily in the league. The Johor-based club won its first senior MBL title in 2024–25 by beating Penang Sunrise Youngsters in the final, after finishing runners-up to NS Matrix in its first two seasons. NS Matrix are no strangers to big finals either, as the Seremban-based club won the senior MBL title in 2022 and 2023.

Credit Photo : MBL