Indonesia Muda and Halim Kediri (Early Years)

Indonesia Muda (IM) was the team to win the championship in the first year of Kobatama, making they're team a powerhouse in the early years of the league. Halim Kediri was their main rival.^[2]

ASABA Jakarta (Start of a Dynasty)

But the rivals changed as ASABA Jakarta was founded. A club that would later change names to Aspac Jakarta and then Stapac Jakarta, gained attention to these teams. ASABA went on to being the best team in 1988 and 1989 season.^[3]

Pelita Jaya (The Bakrie Team)

But then Pelita Jaya Jakarta came to the map, and they successfully won championships three years in a row, which is 1990 till 1992. But after that, ASABA went on to stop them being the champions in the 1993 season.^[4]

Panasia Indosytec Bandung (First Appearance)

Panasia Indosytec Bandung went on winning championships in the 1994, 1997, and 1998 season. And Aspac on 1995 and 1996.^[5]

Satria Muda (Erick Thohir)

In 1999, Satria Muda Jakarta appeared that was bought by Erick Thohir from Dudi Gambiro. And later on went to winning the championship on the same year.^[6]

Interestingly enough, Satria Muda Jakarta won that championship even after having a bad season in 1998.

Aspac then won the Kobatama in 2000 till 2002. But, Satria Muda was the main competitor playing against them in the 2001 and 2002 Final.

The IBL Era

After the Kobatama era ended, in 2002, there is a strong desire among Indonesian basketball people to form a more independent and professional league.

Then, in 2003, Indonesian Basketball League (IBL) was born. This is the first time that the management of the basketball competition has been handed over to an independent operator.

Aspac then, won the championship in some IBL edition. After doing so in 2003, the club won the trophy again in 2005 after losing to Satria Muda in the 2004 final.

After 2005, Satria Muda was unstoppable. They were able to become champions in the 2006 to 2009 edition and Aspac remained the main challenger.

Only Panasia's reincarnated club, Garuda Bandung, is able to disrupt the dualism of Satria Muda and Aspac. Having a line of great players such as Kelly Purwanto, I Made “Lolik” Sudiadnyana, Denny Sumargo, and others, they challenged Satria Muda in the final, even though they ultimately lost.

DBL Era

Overall, the IBL era went poorly to the point that changing operators was considered normal. The excitement of the competition has waned in recent years.

Finally, 10 participating clubs came to the company that usually organizes inter-high school basketball competitions, PT Deteksi Basket Lintas (DBL) Indonesia. The club believes that DBL Indonesia can revive the passion for Indonesian basketball competitions. The reason is, they are able to turn competition between schools into an industry.

DBL Indonesia also agreed to take over the competition. Then, they rebranded and changed the name of the competition from IBL to NBL Indonesia.^[7] Indonesian basketball fans call the Indonesian NBL era the most beautiful period in the history of Indonesian basketball competitions.

The audience's enthusiasm returned to the Kobatama era and the early years of IBL. The clubs that qualified for the final were more varied, as the number of participants increased to 12. The final between Satria Muda and Aspac has only occurred twice in the Indonesian NBL, respectively in 2011-2012 and 2013-2014.

CLS Knights Indonesia and Pelita Jaya succeeded in disrupting the dominance of these two clubs. CLS reached the final of the 2011-2012 NBL, while Pelita Jaya, 2012-2013 and 2014-2015. Unfortunately, the title of champion is still contested by Satria Muda and Aspac. Satria Muda dominated NBL 2010-2011, 2011-2012, and 2014-2015. Aspac lifted the trophy the following two seasons.

In this way, from Kobatama 1999 to NBL Indonesia 2014-2015, only Satria Muda and Aspac were able to emerge as champions. This record seems to emphasize the rivalry between the two teams which is said to be the greatest in national basketball history.

Return of IBL (IBL Reborn)

In the middle of the 2015 NBL Indonesia competition, PT DBL Indonesia confirmed that it would not extend its contract as manager of the professional league. Thus, the end of the Indonesian NBL which made a big impression on the minds of Indonesian basketball fans. At the end of 2015, PERBASI entered into a collaboration with a new operator, Starting5 Sports and Entertainment.^[8] IBL returned to the name of the competition. The first year of IBL reborn produced something that many people were waiting for, namely the birth of champions outside of Satria Muda and Aspac.

At the 2016 season, CLS Knights Surabaya successfully won the championship.^[9] The opponents they faced in the final were not Satria Muda or Aspac, but Pelita Jaya. Using the best of three system, CLS won with a series score of 2-1. This title is the only one for the club based in Surabaya.^[10]

Pelita Jaya finally managed to break they're title drought since winning Kobatama 1991-1992. The team, which at that time was coached by Panasia legend, Johannis Winar, beat Satria Muda in the final.

Meanwhile, in 2017-2018 and 2018-2019, two rulers once again dominated the national basketball competition. Satria Muda smothered Pelita Jaya, 2-1.

Aspac, which changed its name to Stapac after the merger with Stadium Jakarta, dominated the 2018-2019 IBL season.

One of the breakthroughs in the second IBL era was the return of foreign players being allowed. This makes competition more even. Clubs that previously had mediocre status, such as NSH Jakarta and Pacific Caesar Surabaya, were able to move up in class. Both of them advanced to the top four of the 2018-2019 IBL season. Don't forget Hangtuah, who was finally able to reach the semifinals in the 2017-2018 IBL.

Unfortunately, the second era of IBL was marred by problems. One of them is the financial crisis that hit the Starting5.

KOBATAMA Champions

Below is a list KOBATAMA champions from the first edition in 1982 to the last edition in 2002.

2003–2009: IBL early years

Italic indicates the club is withdrew or no longer play.

2010–2015: NBL era

Italic indicates the club is withdrew or no longer play.

2016–present: Back to IBL

Italic indicates the club is withdrew or no longer play.