Hangtuah Jakarta coach Wahyu Widayat Jati explained that his team's main focus ahead of the 2025 IBL playoffs is to strengthen defense and build team chemistry .
During the 18-day competition break before the playoffs, Hangtuah will hold a mini camp to strengthen the team technically and mentally.
"Playoffs are do or die . Not just because of offense . Defense is one of the keys for a team to advance further," Wahyu said when met in Jakarta, Thursday.
The mini camp is scheduled to take place next week with a focus on strengthening closeness between players and increasing the intensity of training.
Wahyu also plans to hold scrimmages against student teams or fellow IBL participants who are not direct opponents.
Beyond the technical approach, Wahyu also applies a hard training method that he calls a combination of “being trained and scolded”. According to him, this approach is effective in maintaining player motivation, including in forming a strong competitive mentality.
"The recipe is to train and scold. But I scold the action, not the person. The players know that. After the incident passes, it's over. I'm not fierce, but I'm disciplined," he said.
He gave an example of the improvement in the performance of point guard Januar Kuntara, which was considered to have emerged thanks to hard work and trust, resulting in trust from the coaching team. Wahyu emphasized that all players have the same opportunity, depending on their performance during training.
"Anyone who is serious in training will definitely be in the 12th roster. Training and matches are related. If he is ready in training, he is ready to play," Wahyu said.
With this technical and mental approach, Hangtuah looks at the playoffs with optimism. They have the opportunity to face Dewa United or Pelita Jaya, two teams that are both favored. But for Wahyu, whoever the opponent is, Hangtuah will be ready to fight.
Hangtuah closed the regular season in seventh place in the final standings. In the playoffs, they will face the second-placed team in the final standings, which is currently occupied by Dewa United.
