BANGKOK (Thailand) - Indonesia turned it around in the third quarter to beat India, 70-50, to salvage a third-place finish in the FIBA U18 Women's Asia Cup 2026-Division B competitions at the Nimibutr Stadium, Sunday.
The SEABA representatives actually stared at a 40-36 deficit late in the period until the trio of Praisey Blessed, Fiorenza Celesta, and Ayu Krisabella put together the spirited rally that all but decided the outcome.
A 16-0 run to end the period erased the opposition's lead and made it a 52-40 lead for themselves, effectively seizing control of the game for good as they also shackled their SABA counterparts on defense.
Team India did stop the bleeding by opening the fourth with a corner jumper from Mahek Sharma, but there was no stopping the Indonesians anymore - so much so that the lead even grew to 21 points not long after.
From trailing by four, Coach Fredy's charges finished the game with a dominant 34-10 eruption en route to giving themselves some sort of consolation after their promotion bid ended at the hands of Lebanon yesterday.
"I really believe that someday, Indonesia is going to play in Division A in the long-term. But of course, it's not going to be easy," the seasoned bench tactician offered post-game. "It entails hard work and preparation."
But Indonesia really has the potential to fight in Division A.
Blessed top-scored for Indonesia with 19 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists.
Inez Welly came through with 18 points behind a 4-of-8 clip from deep, one of which pushed their lead to its biggest of the game at 63-41 approaching the last six minutes, on top of 7 rebounds and 5 assists.
Joanne Giovanni made 11 points and 5 rebounds. Krisabella and Chloe Cung added 9 and 8 points, respectively, in the win that saw the squad finish with 22 assists, leading to a 40-percent clip from the field.
"We knew India has good players also. But I believe in my team, and we had to win this game today," said Blessed as they got back at the same team that foiled their bid of sweeping Group A last Wednesday, 79-46.
Sharma, on the other hand, had 10 points and 16 rebounds, with Nethra Birudavolu her lone backup with 10 points as well for an India team that missed the services of top forward Viha Jonnalagadda due to an injury.
"You take away a dominant player like that, who just matches really well and competes really hard, it makes it tough," lamented India head coach Sarah Gayler. "And Indonesia, hats off to them. It's a tough loss."
FIBA