BEIRUT (Lebanon) - Proud Prawira Harum Bandung carry a lot of weight on their shoulders this season.

They are the current champions of the Indonesia Basketball League (IBL), their first domestic league title in 25 years.

"WE WANT TO SHOW THAT PRAWIRA HARUM BANDUNG WANTS TO ROAR IN ASIA."

- Sandy Febiansyakh

Because they won that title, not only are they defending that throne this year, but they have the opportunity to win another trophy - the Basketball Champions League Asia (BCL Asia) - in which they will be competing in Round 1 from April 3-7.

Prawira Bandung knows well what playing in the BCL Asia Qualifiers means.

"BCL [Asia] is like an achievement that not every team can be there," said Prawira standout and national team member Pandu Wiguna in a Meet & Greet with the Prawira family on March 23.

"It's something 'wow' and for me, I rarely get the opportunity to compete in international matches, I am also excited to play games in this competition."

"This is an opportunity to show that there is the Prawira team from Indonesia that can play on the international stage," Wiguna added as per a team announcement.

"BCL Asia is very important," said assistant coach Nico Donnda. "… We can feel like champions representing Indonesia and Bandung to compete in Asia. I'm sure the players will be happy with this experience because it's not for everyone."

While players like Wiguna are less experienced in the international club competition scene, Prawira also have some players who are more accustomed to playing in this setting. Namely, that is team veteran Sandy Febiansyakh who has played and won competitions between clubs at the international level.

"Mentally, because we will face new teams, we will have to be ready to play because we are going there with a purpose, not just as participants," said Sandy, who is known as Keceng by the local fans.

"We want to show that Prawira Harum Bandung wants to roar in Asia."

James Gist is another player in the Prawira lineup that has more than enough experience for the entire team, featuring on top clubs across Europe from Serbia, Türkiye, Greece, Spain, and Germany. The 37-year-old currently averages 7.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.7 blocks, and 2.0 steals per game for Prawira.

"I think the thing that everyone needs to understand is that when we are going to play in different competitions, and usually, these competitions contain the best teams," Gist said. So there is very little room for mistakes because the teams you face can take advantage of the mistakes you make."

"We just have to do the things that need to be done. We have players in every position and a good defense. We also have everything we need and the biggest thing is that everyone has to understand that the further you go, the more you get."

The further they go in the BCL Asia Qualifiers, the more they can get back on track as a team. At the moment, it's been a rocky start as they have a 5-3 record after 8 games, sitting at 11th place in the standings. It's not where they want to be in their quest to defend the title, but the gap is still small and a slight swing of momentum can get them back on top in no time.

Especially now that they have the leading scorer of the last IBL season, Brandone Francis, back in the lineup.

"You can't stop us from trying to win every game and we're really aiming for the championship again. It's about what's in front, Prawira Harum Bandung, not our names on the back," said Francis who has returned for the last 3 IBL games - all of which has been victories, including against Satria Muda Pertamina Jakarta.

"The character (Prawira) was lost in the early matches, now, we are in a good position and just focus on continuing it from day to day."

That confidence in the identity of "Prawira Harum Bandung" is a key mindset among all players within the team. It's what makes them a strong team and is reflected by their talented coach David Singleton, who has won the IBL Coach of the Year three consecutive times now.

"We don't need any more changes. We believe in what we have. That's enough," said Singleton in a press conference as per MainBasket.

"Our preparations are very good. We are also enthusiastic about the opportunity to compete at this higher level. We believe we can represent Indonesia very well."

FIBA