The 2023 SEA Games: Indonesian Women's Basketball Sets New History

VIVA – The Indonesian women's national basketball team won the gold medal on Sunday at the 2023 Cambodia SEA Games. It signs that the team successfully sets the new history. 

Indonesia managed to collect 12 points from six wins in the 2023 SEA Games. The last match got victory after defeat Singapore at Morodok Techo Indoor Sports Elephant Hall 2. Before defeating Singapore, Indonesia first defeated five other teams including the defending champion Philippines. 

Indonesia managed to beat the Philippines with a score of 68-89. Yesterday, it was Cambodia's turn with a score of 100-54, before Indonesia finally beat Singapore 86-39.

At the 2023 SEA Games, Indonesia came down with the best composition. Under the care of Chinese coach Lin Chin-Wen, Indonesia continues to train and conduct a series of trials, including in Taiwan.

The players who played at the SEA Games 2023 did not change significantly from before at the SEA Games XXXI/2021 Vietnam. Of 12 names brought to Cambodia, there are only three new names.

They are Dewa Ayu Made Sriartha, Peyton Whitted, and Priscilla Karen who replaced the players in the previous edition, namely Mega Nanda Perdana Putri, Angelica Jennifer Candra, and Gabriel Sophia.

Especially for Ayu, at the 2021 SEA Games in Vietnam, she was included in the women's 3x3 national team squad and contributed a bronze medal along with Adelaide Wongsohardjo, Kimberley Pierre-Louis, and Nathania Orville.

The rest are; Adelaide Callista Wongsohardjo, Agustin Elya Gradita Retong, Clarita Antonio, Yuni Anggraeni, Dyah Lestari, Henny Sutjiono, Kadek Pratita Citta Dewi, Kimberley Pierre-Louis, and Nathania Claresta Orville.

Since basketball was contested at the 1997 SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the best achievement of the Indonesian women's team before was winning three silver and five bronze medals. 

Silver was won respectively at the 1991 SEA Games in Quezon City (Philippines), then in 2015 in Singapore, and in 2021 in Hanoi (Vietnam). As for bronze, each at the 1979 SEA Games in Jakarta, 1989 in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), 1997 in Jakarta, 2017 in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), and 2019 in the Philippines.

Team captain Henny Sutjiono said this result is also an important capital to go to the next level. Because Sutijono and the team are trying even harder to get to the next level of events, such as fighting at the next SEA Games and also at the Asian Games. 

The success of the women's team also follows in the footsteps of the men's team who last year at the 2021 SEA Games in Vietnam made history by winning the first gold medal.