MANILA, Philippines — Former PBA import Lester Prosper isn’t able to reinforce the Indonesian national team that will face Gilas in the first window of the FIBA Asia/Oceania Cup qualifiers at the Mahaka Arena in Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta, on Sunday. He still hasn’t been issued his Indonesian passport as a naturalized citizen despite reporting for duty last October.
Indonesian-American Brandon Jawato isn’t also available for Sunday’s game as he’s nursing an injury. Indonesia head coach Rajko Toroman has added 6-2 New York City-born veteran Akri Dikania Wisnu to the roster for the qualifiers. Wisnu was not in Toroman’s lineup for the recent Southeast Asian Games where Indonesia finished fourth, losing to Vietnam 86-71 in the playoff for the bronze medal.
“Lester isn’t playing because of the passport issue,” Toroman told The Star in an email. “He is playing domestic league until the end of March. He has a contract until March then we’ll see. My players are mostly from our SEA Games team plus Wisnu. Jawato is our best player in the Indonesian league but is still not playing. He’s injured.”
There was some buzz recently in Indonesian social media about Prosper supposedly complaining about Toroman’s strict regimen at practice. But Toroman brushed it aside. “About practice, that’s a stupid statement,” said Toroman. “Lester posted that he didn’t practice Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and the next day, he practiced twice and was complying.”
Prosper described Toroman as a “cool” coach. “Just had to get used to some of his practice habits,” he said. Prosper added that since his Indonesian passport hasn’t been released, he’ll skip the first window of the qualifiers. “It’s basically done,” he said. “Just a few things need to be finalized, that’s all. I’ll be ready (for the second window) in November.”
In a video interview, the 6-10 Prosper said he feels “good vibes” with Toroman and his goal is to develop Indonesian basketball. Toroman said “practice mirrors the game (so that) hard work in practice will bring good results.”
Prosper said he’ll be back in Manila for a second tour of duty with Columbian in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup this year. “I’ll be returning to the Philippines soon,” he said. Prosper is keeping busy with the Indonesian Patriots, the national team which Toroman coaches in the local league. He’s averaging 17.1 points and 12.9 rebounds in 10 games, eight of which the Patriots won. Last Jan. 1, Prosper made an auspicious debut with the Patriots, collecting 26 points and 21 rebounds in an 88-74 win over Pacific Caesar.
The Indonesian Basketball Association (Perbasi) initially considered to postpone Sunday’s game but FIBA recommended to push through with the schedule. Perbasi chairman Danny Kosasih attended a limited Cabinet meeting with President Joko Widodo last Tuesday to report on FIBA’s recommendation. Indonesia will host South Korea in its first qualifying game in Jakarta tonight.
Indonesia will be a tough contender if Prosper and Jawato suit up. It’s not clear if FIBA will recognize Jawato as a local or naturalized player. Jawato was born in Santa Monica, California. His father Nyoman is Indonesian and mother Belinda Van Dorn is American. He played at El Segundo high school and enrolled at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. A report from Jakarta mentioned that Jawato’s naturalization is under process. That means he still hasn’t been issued his Indonesian passport. Jawato is 26 and to be classified as a local, he should’ve received his Indonesian passport 10 years ago before turning 16. If Jawato is considered a naturalized player, Toroman is constrained to enlist either him or Prosper. Under FIBA rules, a national team may recruit only one naturalized player.
Without Prosper and Jawato, Toroman will lean on 5-10 Abraham Grahita, 5-8 Andakara Dhyaksa, 6-0 Kaleb Genilang, 6-5 Kevin Argabida and Wisnu, among others to battle South Korea and Gilas in the first window of the qualifiers. In the SEA Games, Indonesia won twice and lost thrice. The wins were over Malaysia, 101-92 and Cambodia, 100-71. The losses were to Thailand, 98-76, the Philippines, 97-70 and Vietnam.