TIMNAS Men’s Basketball is ready to fight for the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup Qualification with the players showing significant progress during the training camp period since 28 October.
The squad led by Head Coach Johannis Winar is ready to face two important matches against South Korea on November 21 and Thailand on November 24.
Johannis Winar, who is familiarly called Coach Ahang, conveyed positive news about the presence of Anthony Beane, who provided new energy for the team.
“Beane is here. This is good for us. Next, we will introduce the system that we have been training to Beane for the past few days,” said Coach Ahang in a written statement in Jakarta, Saturday.
The role of three senior point guards, namely Widyanta Putra Teja, Yudha Saputera, and Abraham Wenas, will be very crucial in establishing communication with Beane to unify the rhythm of the game. “I ask Widi, Yudha and Wenas to actively communicate with Beane. They have the responsibility to harmonize communication in the field,” he continued.
Among the 18 players called up, several names such as Abraham Wenas, Muhammad Rizky Ari Daffa, Aven Ryan Pratama, Avan Seputra, and Pandu Wiguna appeared as newcomers to the National Basketball Team squad. They trained with national team regulars such as Brandon Jawato, Abraham Damar Grahita, Ali Bagir and Julian Chalias.
Abraham Wenas admitted that he was proud to be able to join the National Team. “First of all, I am definitely happy because I finally got this opportunity. I was nervous because I was out of my comfort zone and came from the Ksatria Bengawan Solo club. In this team, I have never played with them,” said Abraham.
Even though he felt awkward, Abraham continued to communicate with his teammates to speed up adaptation. “Communication with the players is going well even though it’s not very close. I’m focused day by day, because we are competing to be in the main squad,” he added.
Coach Ahang praised the development of the debutants who were quite competitive and enthusiastic during the training camp. “From some of the new players, so far they are quite good. We will see their development further,” he said.
Men’s National Basketball Team Manager Rony Gunawan also welcomed the presence of new faces in the team. According to him, this call-up is a strategic step to enrich the choice of talented players.
“It’s great that there are new faces in the National Team. They deserve to be included in this selection because of their statistics and efforts in the IBL,” said Rony, a former legendary Satria Muda player.
Rony hopes that the new players who join can maintain the playing standards of the National Team and apply them to their respective clubs. “Their progress is good. Some adapt quickly, others may need time, but it’s not a big problem. Hopefully they can maintain the standards of this national team when they return to the club,” he said. (Ant/Z-6)
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**Interview with Coach Johannis Winar Ahead of 2025 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifications**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us, Coach Johannis Winar. The Men’s National Basketball Team is gearing up for the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifications. How has the training camp been since it started on October 28th?
**Johannis Winar:** Thank you for having me. The training camp has been very productive. The players have shown significant progress, and we’re excited about the upcoming matches. We’ve been working hard on our strategies and building team cohesion.
**Editor:** You mentioned the importance of your matches against South Korea and Thailand coming up on November 21 and 24. What are your expectations for these games?
**Johannis Winar:** These matches are crucial for us. They will be a real test of our skills and teamwork. We’re aiming to put forth a performance that reflects the progress we’ve made in training. It’s important for us to start strong in the qualification round.
**Editor:** Anthony Beane has joined your squad recently. How has he impacted the team’s dynamic?
**Johannis Winar:** Anthony’s presence brings a fresh energy to the team. He’s an exceptional player, and we’re working to seamlessly integrate him into our system. He’s quickly adapting, and I’m confident he’ll be a valuable asset for us.
**Editor:** You also have senior point guards like Widyanta Putra Teja, Yudha Saputera, and Abraham Wenas playing pivotal roles. How do you plan to leverage their experience to support Beane?
**Johannis Winar:** Communication is key, especially with new players. Widi, Yudha, and Wenas have been tasked with establishing that communication with Anthony on the court. Their leadership will be crucial in helping him acclimate and ensuring we all play in sync.
**Editor:** With some newcomers in the squad, how do you see their integration with the established players?
**Johannis Winar:** It’s great to see fresh talent like Aven Ryan Pratama and Pandu Wiguna join the team. Our experienced players are mentoring them, and everyone is motivated to create a strong unit. The mixture of youth and experience will be beneficial for us.
**Editor:** Lastly, Abraham Wenas expressed pride in joining the national team. What does this opportunity mean for you and your coaching staff?
**Johannis Winar:** It’s incredibly rewarding to see young athletes realize their dreams. For us, it’s about building a program that nurtures talent and fosters a winning mindset. We hope this is just the beginning of many successes for our national team.
**Editor:** Thank you, Coach Winar. We wish you and the team the best of luck in the upcoming matches!
**Johannis Winar:** Thank you! We appreciate the support.
