BANGKOK (Thailand) - It had been a frustrating two-year stretch for Thailand.

Loss after loss in 2018 at the FIBA Asia Cup Pre-Qualifiers and Asian Games all the way back to SEA Games in 2017, Indonesia has been a barb in Thailand’s path towards success.

Finally, in SEA Games 2019 they were able to overcome their fierce foes with a 98-76 win in the Group Phase.

"It feels amazing," Thailand’s star forward Tyler Lamb said after the game. "For the time being."

Lamb had been a part of the Thailand teams that lost to Indonesia in SEA Games 2017 and the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 SEABA Pre-Qualifiers, taking in painful losses despite his outstanding performances. He was just as brilliant this time in Manila with 16 points, 5 rebounds, and 8 steals, but the result of the game was what matter most.

"My goal was never [only] to beat Indonesia," Lamb explained. "My goal has always been [winning it all]. Unfortunately for us, Indonesia has cut us short of that goal the past few times we’ve met. So to win today and win big, it felt great."

But as the 28-year-old forward said, this amazing feeling will last only for the time being. Thailand will now have to focus on doing their best to win it all at the SEA Games and from there, they will have to prepare for the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 Qualifiers starting in February 2020.

As a matter of fact, they will be matching up with Indonesia once again as early as 27 November later that year.

After being tormented by losses over the past two years before finally coming up with a win at the SEA Games, that clash is one that Tyler Lamb will look forward to.

"I would love to play against Indonesia again," Lamb said. "It’s always a tough game and I wouldn’t mind evening up the total record."

As always, the ultimate goal for Lamb is not to just focus on one opponent in particular, but the entire Thailand basketball scene in general.

"Let’s just say for me I just want to help set Thailand in a better position for the future generations of basketball and help spark the motion of ‘we can compete with the top countries in Southeast Asia and, ultimately, in Asia, period."

"We still have a long way to go, but we’ve definitely come a long way also."

FIBA