Before tip-off, Coach Felton Sealey had a simple message for his young forward:

"Just go out there and play free. Don’t overthink it."

Michael Munnesvicky took those words and ran with them. On Friday night, the 22-year-old sharpshooter put on a show, draining six of his seven attempts from beyond the arc and scoring a game-high 26 points to lead Malaysia’s National Selection Team to a dominant 106–63 win over I-Shou University of Taiwan in the Tan See Seng Cup International Invitational.

But if you ask Michael, he’s not celebrating yet.

“The tournament isn’t over,” he said afterward, calm and composed. “I just want to stay steady and keep playing well.”

A breakout night, but consistency is the real test

For Sealey, the performance was confirmation of what he’s always believed — that Michael might just be one of the team’s best shooters. But belief, he emphasized, isn’t enough.

“Michael’s a good player. He’s young, he’s got talent, but young players are up and down,” Sealey said. “The real test is: Can you do it again in the next game?”

It wasn’t just a pat on the back. It was a challenge. A reminder that one great game doesn’t punch your ticket to the final 12-man roster for the upcoming SEA Games. That’s where Malaysia has its eyes — and only those who can sustain their level will be part of that journey.

“He moved in the right direction tonight, and I’m proud of him. But I’ve got 16 guys fighting for 12 spots. This is just one step.”

The mental game: What separates good from great

Sealey didn’t just praise Michael’s scoring. He also pointed out where growth is still needed.

“Basketball is played with your mind. It’s about reading the game,” he explained. “When the play breaks down — do you make the right read? Do you know what kind of pass to make? Bounce pass? Overhead? Push pass? These things matter.”

It’s the nuance of the game, the kind that doesn’t show up in the box score, but coaches live and die by it. And Sealey is betting that Michael, with the right mindset, can learn to see the game the way veterans do.

Michael’s response: Calm, focused, and unshaken

Some young players might get carried away after a 26-point explosion. Not Michael. The Kuala Lumpur-born forward took it all in stride, crediting film sessions with Sealey and some much-needed mental reset during the two-day break before the game.

“Coach talked to me about what I was doing wrong and what I was doing right. We watched film and he told me to just play free,” Michael said. “I’m not the kind of player who scores a lot in one game and then gets a big head. I just want to stay steady, play my role, and keep improving.”

It’s that level-headedness that impressed Sealey just as much as the shot-making.

Still two games left, and everything to play for

With two games left in the tournament, Michael knows the job isn’t done. The ultimate goal — representing Malaysia at the SEA Games and chasing a medal — remains on the horizon. Friday night was a step forward. But it’s only the beginning.

“I’m happy for him,” Sealey said. “But we’re not picking players based on one game. We’re looking for guys who can deliver when the lights are the brightest — and do it again and again.”

For now, Michael is staying grounded. One game, one possession at a time. And if he keeps that mindset, this breakout performance may not be the last time we hear his name.