Pelita Jaya Reclaims Control of IBL Finals Series with Game 3 Victory

Pelita Jaya Jakarta demonstrated a strong recovery in Game 3 of the IBL 2026 finals, securing a crucial 74-61 victory over the Bogor Hornbills. This win, achieved on the Hornbills' home court at GOR Laga Tangkas, Kabupaten Bogor, gives Pelita Jaya a 2-1 advantage in the best-of-five series.

The team, last season's finalist, had suffered a significant 63-83 defeat in Game 2, raising questions about their consistency. However, they responded with a more disciplined performance, particularly in defense. From the first quarter, Pelita Jaya controlled the tempo, forcing the Hornbills to work hard for every point despite the home crowd's support.

Pelita Jaya's defensive improvements were evident, with tighter interior defense, quicker rotations, and better communication. Coach David Singleton acknowledged the focus on defensive improvements post-Game 2. "Still not perfect, there are still many things we can do. But overall, we made it harder for them to score," Singleton stated after the match. He recognized the Hornbills as a dangerous opponent due to their talented players, emphasizing the need for Pelita Jaya to increase aggression and adherence to their game plan.

Offensively, Pelita Jaya also regained its rhythm, with smoother ball movement and more effective attacks compared to the previous game. Team captain Andakara Prastawa attributed the success to the players strictly following the coach's instructions. "We just followed the game plan and it turned out we were not like in the second game before," Prastawa said.