Aspac, Indosyntec to meet in final<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Defending champion Aspac of Jakarta capitalized
\non Bima Sakti Nikko Steel's last-minute fouls to edge out the
\nMalang club 76-68 (36-38) in the Kobatama national basketball
\nleague final four matches yesterday.<\/p>\n
Aspac's victory renders a carbon copy of last year's final
\nbecause it will take on Panasia Indosyntec of Bandung in
\ntomorrow's final. Indosyntec had first-half trouble before seeing
\noff newcomer Satria Muda 95-84.<\/p>\n
Both Aspac and Bima Sakti were error-prone in the first half.
\nScores raced wildly, with many scores resulting from free-throws.<\/p>\n
Aspac's star, Kenny Travis, was often frustrated as he
\nfrequently failed his free-throws. Bima Sakti's Victor Roring was
\nsuccessful in preventing Travis from developing his powerful,
\nstealthy attacks.<\/p>\n
The erroneous tones of both teams lingered into the second
\nhalf, but the marked difference between the two was that Travis
\nwas out of Roring's shadows. Roring had committed enough fouls
\nand risked being sent off.<\/p>\n
When Travis escaped from close marking, Aspac became more
\nspirited. At 40-40, Travis poured in two three-pointers which
\nleft his opponents panting with a wide 46-40 gap. But Bima's
\nSujudi soon came to the rescue, scoring two three-pointers to
\nequalize at 46-46.<\/p>\n
In the other match of the day, last year's losing finalist
\nIndosyntec, led by its American Gerald McDonald and Nigerian-born
\nEmeka Okinwa, found real opposition in the first half which saw
\nthe Bandung side managing only a slender lead of 51-49.<\/p>\n
McDonald led the scoring with 32 points for Indosyntec, and
\nOkinwa added 25. Mark Moton threw in 31 points and Robert
\nRichardson 28 for final four debutante Satria Muda.<\/p>\n
\"Our players carried a great burden because today's was a do-
\nor-die game,\" Suwadi Bing Andi, Indosyntec's team manager said
\nafterwards.<\/p>\n
\"We just aimed to get into the final. We've achieved that and
\nwe hope we can win the deciding match on Saturday,\" he added.<\/p>\n
Indosyntec coach Deddy K said that despite the win, his men
\nfailed to benefit from man-to-man marking, which he had believed
\nwould keep the Jakarta side's forays at bay.<\/p>\n
\"Apparently it did not work very well. Satria Muda has
\nexcellent shooters,\" he praised his opposing team.<\/p>\n
Suwadi said his men would play without any pressure but
\nexpected a tough game in the final tomorrow.<\/p>\n
It was clear that Satria Muda players lacked the composure
\nthey needed in such a tense semifinal. Two of them, Rivelino and
\nIndrawan Waskito, were fouled off, while another four were a foul
\naway from receiving their marching orders.<\/p>\n
\"They have not had enough experience for such a crucial
\nmatch,\" Satria Muda team manager Doedi Gumbira said. (yan\/arf)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/aspac-indosyntec-to-meet-in-final-1447893297",
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