The 2017 SEABA Championships finally raised its curtains on Friday afternoon. While most participating countries have locked in on winning the coveted crown, contenders Indonesia have their sights set on the future ahead.
And they start by using the regional cagefest as a build-up to the 2017 Southeast Asian Games, to be held in Malaysia, that is.
“We didn’t have any preparation coming into this. Our focus is on the SEA Games, really,” shared Indonesia’s veteran point guard Mario Wuysang, moments after his team’s 71-50 drubbing of Singapore at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.
Looking at history, the Indonesians have yet to taste gold in the SEA Games ever since basketball’s inclusion in the biennial regional meet in 1977. And that is why Indonesia has set its focus on that tourney more than anything else.
“We know Gilas is focusing on the FIBA and the international championships, but our focus is on the SEA Games and we’re just trying to compete and improve,” said the 38-year-old Indo-American floor general.
Personally for Wuysang — the team’s undisputed leader — being almost 40 years of age truly takes its toll on him. However, he still feels blessed for the opportunity, despite Father Time slowly catching up to him.
“I’m just blessed to be able to play at this age and I’m just going out there and compete. I love the game,” said the Indonesian skipper.
“And I know the Philippines, they love basketball. It’s kind of like home for me coming back here. I have so many friends here and people I grew up in the States, Fil-Ams. It’s always comfortable for me to play here.”
