IM Texmaco ends Aspac's winning streak<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Aspac finally tasted the agony of defeat at the
\n2000 Nuvo Kobatama basketball league in a see-saw match against
\nIM Texmaco on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
The spirited IM pushed Aspac to its limits during the match,
\nwhich it won 73-70. Despite the loss, Aspac remains on the top of
\nthe standings, thanks to the team's nine wins.<\/p>\n
Aspac got off to a brisk start as it raced to a 16-4 lead in
\nthe first quarter, but was soon left trailing right up to the
\nfinal buzzer.<\/p>\n
Suko Waluyo knocked down two points for Aspac to level the tie
\nat 33-33. But 21 seconds later, Indra Allen scored another two to
\nput IM ahead.<\/p>\n
Aspac again evened the scoreline through diminutive forward
\nAndi Poejakusuma, but his efforts were in vain after a successful
\nfree throw from Allen.<\/p>\n
An assist from Patrick Gosal helped Sumantri increase IM's
\nlead to 38-35 but Aspac's newly-hired center Saut Lambok Jonson
\nmanaged to narrow the margin by one point to 38-37 with free
\nthrows.<\/p>\n
Allen again made it 39-37 with a free throw but Andi sank an
\nequalizer 43 seconds later, thanks to Allen's futile defensive
\nrebound.<\/p>\n
As the match became tighter IM closed the third quarter with a
\n51-49 lead.<\/p>\n
A few seconds into the final quarter, Andi threw the match
\nwide open with an equalizer. Charles Bronson scored two points to
\nhelp IM regain its lead at 58-55.<\/p>\n
Jonson kept Aspac's hopes alive with a well-angled two-pointer
\nand a free throw which closed the deficit at 63-60. The match
\nturned ugly and Agustinus Ferry Rinaldo of Aspac was given
\nanother free throw after Gosal bumped him out of the court.<\/p>\n
Inal, as Rinaldo fondly called, only managed to execute one of
\nthe free throws to make it 63-61. Lucky Pinontoan blasted a two-
\npointer for IM, before Sumantri added another two points.<\/p>\n
Jonson produced a last-ditch scoring effort when he escaped
\nIM's tight defense to bring the scoreline to 65-63. But Chandra
\nwas unstoppable in a fast break that ended up with a two-pointer.<\/p>\n
Earlier, Wismilak CLS of Surabaya beat Bima Sakti Nikko Steel
\nof Malang 94-86.<\/p>\n
IM's coach M. Rifky said he was satisfied with his team's
\nability to overcome their psychological barriers. \"We always
\nunderestimate teams which are below our level. But we now play a
\nteam which is above our level. I asked them to pump up their
\nself-confidence and today they were brave enough to make
\nattempts.\"<\/p>\n
Chandra, who was elected the Most Valuable Player of the
\nmatch, said that his team had found the best offensive way to
\nbreak through Aspac's defense. \"I'm proud because I can unite all
\nthe team in a special rotation.\"<\/p>\n
While Andi said that he was satisfied with his performance,
\nthe defeat was upsetting. \"I'm disappointed that we can't win.
\nBut I'm satisfied with the way we played.\" (ivy)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/im-texmaco-ends-aspacs-winning-streak-1447893297",
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