Favorite Aspac beats IM Texmaco 72-44<\/p>\n
BANDUNG (JP): Favorite champion Aspac of Jakarta faced no
\ndifficulties in overwhelming Indonesia Muda (IM) Texmaco 72-44 in
\nthe first day of the fourth series of the 1999 A Mild Kobatama
\nNational Basketball League here on Monday.<\/p>\n
Separately, Citra Satria Pelita defeated underdog Siliwangi
\n88-64 in the second match at the Padjadjaran basketball stadium
\nhere.<\/p>\n
Citra Satria Pelita will meet IM Texmaco in Wednesday's first
\nmatch. The second match will be between Western Division runner-
\nup Mahaka Satria Muda (SM) and Siliwangi.<\/p>\n
The fourth series features five teams from the western
\ndivision: Aspac, Mahaka SM, IM, Citra Satria Pelita (CSP) and
\nSiliwangi.<\/p>\n
Aspac played without any pressure from IM, who was once a
\nthreat to the top clubs in the premier division. Aspac was the
\nrunner-up in the 1998 league, while IM trailed in third position.<\/p>\n
IM apparently could not bounce back to win the game which was
\nits first performance at Padjadjaran basketball stadium. It
\nfinished seventh in the last three series, and had to win in the
\nremaining nine games to earn a berth in the final four.<\/p>\n
Aspac's rising star Riko Hantono was the most valuable player
\nof the day, earning 16 points, three assists and five rebounds in
\n28-minute performances.<\/p>\n
His senior, A.F. Rinaldo took 15 points and Adi Loka scooped
\n12.<\/p>\n
Charles Bronson of IM produced 33 points and his teammate
\nRommy Chandra cut 18. Both scored 10 points each out of 44 points
\nfor their team.<\/p>\n
Rommy, IM's top forward, was injured in the last minute, which
\nsealed IM's fate in the game.<\/p>\n
Aspac coach Tjetjep Firmansyah said that his players could
\nenjoy the game right from the beginning.<\/p>\n
\"They could resist IM's players. They were instructed to
\nconstantly mark each player,\" said Tjetjep, who was coach to the
\n1999 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games national basketball team.<\/p>\n
IM's coach Hakiem Rachman said that his players could not
\nescape Aspac's pressure and failed to start the attack.<\/p>\n
\"After Rommy's injury, our team lost the top player. But
\nthat's basketball. Aspac is a strong team because it has
\nexperienced players,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Aspac and IM have two national players on their team. Aspac
\nhas Riko and Adi Loka while IM has Rommy and Rocky Tamtelahitu.<\/p>\n
Only one match will be played on Tuesday between Aspac and
\nMahaka SM. Mahaka lost to Aspac 47-56 in the first series in
\nCirebon, West Java. (43)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/favorite-aspac-beats-im-texmaco-72-44-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}