He explained that the failure, a 1-2 loss in the best-of-three match format in last season's final, was an important learning experience for him and the team as they look ahead to the 2026 season.
"Of course, this team (Pelita Jaya) has a big name, and I'm here as one of the foreign players, so I'm trying to be as involved as possible in the team," Withey said at the launch of Pelita Jaya Jakarta's team officials and players for the 2026 IBL.
He further explained that the experience had given him a clear picture of the demands of the game at the final level, as well as the details that needed to be improved so the team could go further this year.
As a foreign player at a club with a long history, Withey knows the pressure and expectations will always be high.
Therefore, last season's final was a mental test as well as a character-building exercise, especially for players who had not experienced many title-deciding matches.
