Veteran floor general Mario Wuysang was the hero that Indonesia strongly needed to pull off a victory over fellow contenders Thailand, as his game-winning, pull-up jumper helped his team keep their slate perfect.
But for the 38-year-old, that clinching bucket with 11.1 ticks left was not the only reason that the Indonesians had been able to get away with their third win in a row. It was their stifling defense as a single unit that did wonders, he says.
“It was a collective effort. We had guys knocking down shots, but it was our defense really,” said the diminutive Indonesian-American after their 60-59 triumph. “We switched up to zone. This is our third game and we only got nine guys.
“We know we’re not gonna have the legs all the way there, but we switched to zone and that was a good move.”
Indonesia’s defense indeed made the Thais suffer. Thailand only made 19 of their 54 shots, and sank just four triples all throughout. And ultimately, the Thais committed 23 turnovers, which Indonesia converted to 18 points.
But if it were not for Wuysang’s game-winner, Indonesia might have totally failed to keep their card unscathed. And for him, he will just continue to play the way he is used to, with all confidence.
“I know some of the teams are focused on me, trying to pressure me and deny me,” said the 38-year-old, who was Indonesia’s leader in their first win against Singapore last Friday, as he finished with 20 points.
“But if I just keep playing, if I get a chance to get in that flow, I’m not gonna keep missing.”
