Agassi: Losing To Satria Muda Becomes A Securities Lesson Ahead Of The Second Final Of IBL 2025

Pelita Jaya Jakarta Basketball player Agas Yeshe Goantara (left) received treatment while competing against Dewa United (photo: dock.)

JAKARTA - Pebasket Pelita Jaya Jakarta, Agas Yeshe Goantara, revealed that his team learned many lessons from the defeat in the first match of the 2025 Indonesian Basketball League (IBL) semifinal against Satria Muda Pertamina Jakarta. The lesson, according to Agas, became an important capital to perform better when facing Dewa United Banten in the second match of the final which will take place tonight at the Soemantri Brodjonegoro Student Center (GMSB), Kuningan, Jakarta.

"We don't want to repeat the same mistakes as during the semifinal against Satria Muda. The defeat was a valuable experience, especially now that our opponent, Dewa United, also has high motivation and enthusiasm to win," said Agas when met ahead of the match.

Although Pelita Jaya appeared dominant in the 94-77 victory over Dewa United in the first game of the final on Thursday 17 July, Agas rejected the assumption that his team was far superior. He emphasized that the key to Pelita Jaya's success lies not only in quality excellence, but in learning from the experience and mental approach formed by the head coach, Justin Tatum.

Dewa United can reach the final because they are a good team and fought hard. We don't underestimate them. The coach also always reminded us to learn from every game, especially defeats," continued the player who was named IBL Local MVP 2025.

Agassi also emphasized the importance of winning away matches during the playoffs. According to him, if Pelita Jaya loses the first away match, the pressure will be much greater when playing in front of her own supporters.

"If we lost away yesterday, the pressure would be greater when we played at home. That's why we fought desperately to win in the first match," he said.

Now, Pelita Jaya only needs one more win to secure the 2025 IBL title and make history as a back-to-back champion or two consecutive seasons. Victory in the second game tonight will ensure the capital team again dominates the highest professional basketball league in Indonesia.

However, if Dewa United is able to rise and equalize to 1-1, then the match will continue to the third game of determination, which will still be held at GMSB, Jakarta. As the first seed in the playoffs, Pelita Jaya has the right to play the deciding match at home.

Tonight's match is predicted to be fierce. Dewa United, who have never won the IBL title, will certainly go all out to keep their chances of making history. Meanwhile, Pelita Jaya brought the spirit of defending the title and made a new history in the elite Indonesian basketball competition.

With experience, high motivation, and support from the public in Jakarta, Pelita Jaya Jakarta is determined to close this final series with wins and bring the championship trophy back to the capital city.