Russia to be lone star at Independence Cup<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Russia, fresh from its solid showing at the
\nWorld Championships in Toronto, Canada, will be the lone star at
\nthe fifth Independence Cup basketball tourney to be held in the
\nSenayan indoor stadium from Aug. 25-30.<\/p>\n
Ecky Tamlahittu, an official from the Indonesian Basketball
\nAssociation (Perbasi) announced that Valery Borisov, Igor Tchrov
\nand Sergei Shourev will lead the Russian cakewalk at the six-day
\nevent.<\/p>\n
The red-hot favorite will fight Asia's top teams from the
\nUnited Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Iran, South Korea and the
\nPhilippines in a round-robin tournament.<\/p>\n
\"China's World Championship squad were scheduled to make the
\ntrip here, but succumbed to exhaustion,\" Ecky said. The Chinese
\nteam, winner of the Asian Basketball Championship here last year,
\ncarved out a piece of history by reaching the quarterfinals for
\nthe first time in the world's most prestigious basketball meet.<\/p>\n
Russia sprang a surprise by edging out Olympic silver medalist
\nCroatia before being served up to the American Dream Team II.<\/p>\n
Indonesia is scheduled to field two teams, the Jakarta City
\nteam and one from West Java. American Kirkland Ivory will make
\nhis long awaited debut for the Jakarta team at the annual event.
\nForeign journeymen are being introduced in the new style semi-
\nprofessional basketball league, which begins next month.<\/p>\n
\"We are realistic about our chances. Our goal is to gain some
\nvaluable experience,\" Ecky said, adding that he was not afraid
\nthat local teams would be humiliated.<\/p>\n
Thursday's opening matches pit West Java against Saudi Arabia,
\nwhile Iran meets South Korea. (hdj)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/russia-to-be-lone-star-at-independence-cup-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}