Indonesia U18 Men’s Basketball Dominates Laos in Qualifiers Opener

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia’s U18 men’s basketball team made a commanding start to their campaign at the FIBA U18 Asia Cup SEABA Qualifiers 2026, crushing Laos 89–35 in their opening Group B match in Krabi, Thailand, on Thursday, June 11, 2026.

The emphatic win provides a crucial boost for coach Ismael’s squad as they chase a semifinal berth and a ticket to the FIBA U18 Asia Cup 2026 in India this August.

From the opening quarter, the Garuda Muda imposed their dominance, combining physical strength, fast transitions, and tight defense to stifle Laos. By halftime, Indonesia had already built a commanding 47–20 lead, Antara reported.

After the break, Bryan Jonathan and teammates further increased their scoring output, with points distributed evenly across the roster.

Indonesia excelled in rebounds, fast-break opportunities, and shooting efficiency, while Laos struggled to penetrate the paint and convert chances.

Capitalizing on turnovers, Indonesia widened the gap and never allowed their opponents to cut the deficit to single digits.

The final score of 89–35 confirmed Indonesia’s superiority and placed them at the top of Group B.

Next, they will face Malaysia in a decisive clash for a semifinal spot. The qualifiers, held from June 10–14, serve as the Southeast Asian pathway to the continental tournament in India, scheduled for August 13–23.

This result underscores Indonesia’s growing strength in youth basketball and its ambitions on the Asian stage.

It connects to broader themes such as Indonesia U18 basketball development, the FIBA U18 Asia Cup 2026, and the competitive landscape of Southeast Asian basketball. ***