Dwidasa Mitra fights hard to avoid possible relegation<\/p>\n
BANDUNG (JP): Late strikes earned Dwidasa Mitra of Jakarta its
\nfirst win and the possibility of escaping relegation from the
\nnational semiprofessional basketball league here on Thursday.<\/p>\n
The 84-74 victory over Wismilak CLS of Surabaya in the
\nleague's fourth leg gave Dwidasa the boost in morale it needs to
\nface decision day on Friday when it plays Bima Sakti Nikko Steel
\nof Malang, East Java.<\/p>\n
Bima Sakti played Indonesia Muda (IM) Texmaco, which has
\nalready secured a place in the semifinals next month, late on
\nThursday.<\/p>\n
In the game played at Padjadjaran Basketball Hall, Dwidasa was
\nleft trailing behind until well into the second quarter, in which
\nit managed to level the game to 42-42 thanks to the hard work of
\nthe veteran trio of Andries Posumah, Rommy Tanaka Patipeilohy and
\nRivelino Abuthan.<\/p>\n
CLS went into the final quarter with a 59-58 lead, but quickly
\nfound itself on the defensive as forward Bintoro led Dwidasa's
\nrelentless charges. Bintoro scored 11 points and had one rebound
\nin the fourth quarter to help his team seal the crucial win.<\/p>\n
Altogether Bintoro scored 35 with six rebounds and two assists
\nto take the Most Valuable Player tag of the match.<\/p>\n
Dwidasa's team manager Andre Mamuaya said after the match that
\nhis team anticipated a hard-fought battle with Bima Sakti on
\nFriday. But a win on Friday could be meaningless if defending
\nchampion Mahaka Satria Muda of Jakarta is upset by relegation by
\nstruggling Pacific Caesar of Surabaya.<\/p>\n
For Pacific, a defeat on Friday would eliminate its chance of
\nstaying in the league next season.<\/p>\n
\"I think that as of Wednesday, Pacific was still sure that it
\nwas safe while we remained at the bottom of the standings. They
\ndidn't expect us to beat CLS today,\" Andre said.<\/p>\n
\"At least I can take a breather for a while now.\"<\/p>\n
He blamed his club's poor performance on coach Ersa Putra, but
\nhe had yet to decide whether to extend his contract for next
\nseason. \"We have a good physical trainer but our technical coach
\nis less experience.\"<\/p>\n
In a late match on Wednesday, home favorite Panasia Indosyntec
\ncontinued its winning streak by crushing Bali Jeff Citra Satria
\nPelita (CSP) of Jakarta 93-71.<\/p>\n
Panasia, the only non-Jakarta team to have reached the
\nsemifinals this year, is second in the table behind Aspac. Mahaka
\nis third followed by IM.<\/p>\n
The final four and championship matches will take place in
\nJakarta from Nov. 18 to Nov. 19. (ivy)<\/p>",
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