Indonesia U18 Basketball Team Ends SEABA Qualifiers with Tough Lessons

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia’s U18 men’s basketball team returned from the FIBA U18 Asia Cup 2026 SEABA Qualifiers in Krabi, Thailand with a series of evaluations after failing to meet expectations.

Head coach Ismael admitted consistency and discipline were lacking. “Team consistency was not maintained properly and some adjustments were not carried out with discipline,” he said in a statement from Jakarta on Monday, June 15, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

The team missed out on a ticket to the Asia Cup finals, finishing fourth in the SEABA zone after losing to Malaysia 70-81 in the third-place playoff at Chan Ka Po Gymnasium on Sunday, June 14, 2026.

The result was particularly disappointing as Indonesia had beaten Malaysia 65-55 in the group stage. For Ismael, the outcome underscored the squad’s inability to perform consistently throughout the tournament.

He stressed that players must improve both offensively and defensively to compete at a higher level in future international events. Comprehensive evaluation will be the focus of the coaching staff to strengthen the team’s performance.

Despite the setback, Ismael praised his players’ efforts and highlighted the value of competing against Southeast Asia’s strongest teams. With the squad largely composed of players aged 15 to 17, he sees potential for growth and believes many could become the backbone of the senior national team in the years ahead.

“It was a very good experience and a valuable lesson for them. Some of these players can still represent the national team in future tournaments,” he said.

Game statistics showed Indonesia started well, leading 19-14 in the first quarter and maintaining a slim 38-36 advantage at halftime. Malaysia turned the tide in the third quarter, pulling ahead 56-53, and extended their dominance in the final period to secure the win.

One bright spot for Indonesia came from Steven Sebastian, who delivered a standout performance with a double-double of 24 points and 14 rebounds, plus four assists. His display was a reminder of the individual talent within the squad, even as the team continues to search for collective consistency.

This campaign reflects broader themes such as Indonesia U18 basketball development, the challenges of SEABA qualifiers, and the importance of youth player growth for the future of the national team. ***