Top clubs struggle to get semis berth<\/p>\n
SURABAYA (JP): Defending champions Panasia Indosyntec and arch
\nrivals Aspac came closer to clinching the final four berth after
\noverwhelming their opponents on the seventh day of the A Mild
\nKobatama national basketball league's third series at the Pacific
\nbasketball stadium here on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Eastern division favorite Panasia Indosyntec were unstoppable
\nafter beating Citra Satria Pelita (CSP) 69-52 in their first game
\non Tuesday<\/p>\n
While western division champions Aspac, the 1998 league's
\nrunner-up, outclassed home favorites Pacific Bank Swadesi 81-58.<\/p>\n
In the final game on Monday night, Bhinneka Sritex of the
\neastern division became a favorite for the final four after
\ndefeating Indonesia Muda (IM) Texmaco of the western division 60-
\n52.<\/p>\n
IM, ranked third in 1998, have to defeat Cahaya Lestari
\nSurabaya (CLS) in their last game on Thursday night in order to
\nget a chance to secure a ticket to the final four. IM will play
\nCLS later in the day.<\/p>\n
Eastern division favorite Panasia is certain it can beat the
\nJakarta-based club who has top stars like power forward Antonius
\nJoko Endratmo, point guard Kiki Susilo, center Saut Lambok Jonson
\nand small forward I Gede Agus Wahyudi.<\/p>\n
\"Our young players did not perform well tonight. But we must
\ngive them a chance to play so they can gain experience of playing
\nin the national league. Tomorrow (Wednesday) will be their show,\"
\nsaid Danny Kosasih, Panasia's team manager.<\/p>\n
On Wednesday, Bandung-based Panasia will play fellow
\ncountryman Siliwangi. Siliwangi are having trouble raising
\nthemselves from the bottom of the table and are hoping to win in
\nthe playoffs to keep their place in the premier division.<\/p>\n
CSP counterattacked in the first half. When Panasia were a few
\npoints behind CSP, they fielded Jonson, Kiki, Agus and Johannis
\nin order to save some points and replaced their young players,
\nAndre Tiara, Arifin, Teddy Febianto, Yanto Sudiarto and Alfa
\nRomeo.<\/p>\n
In the second half, CSP players apparently lost their fighting
\nspirit and let Panasia break through their defense and earn
\npoints. CSP point guard Ruli S. Tobing scored 11 points for his
\nteam while Panasia small forward Yanto scored 15 points.<\/p>\n
Although Pacific players made an effort to hold Aspac back,
\nthey failed to outplay the Jakarta-based team who boasted three
\nnational players in its line-up: Cokorda Satria Wibawa, Tri
\nAdyana Adi Loka and Riko Hantono.<\/p>\n
Separately, basketball fans will decide which five players
\nwill perform in the all-stars meet in Yogyakarta on Oct. 9.<\/p>\n
The candidates for the meet are point guards AF Rinaldo
\n(Aspac) and Kiki, shooting guards Rommy Tanaka (Aspac) and Pek
\nKing Dhay (Pacific Bank Swadesi), small forwards Dwui Eriano
\n(Mahaka SM) and Agus Wahyudi, power forwards Rommy Chandra (IM
\nTexmaco) and Antonius Joko and centers Saut L. Jonson and I
\nNyoman Suandi Menara (Aspac).<\/p>\n
Five others will be picked by their coaches after taking into
\naccount the statistical review of their performances in the last
\nthree series, said Doedi Gambiro from the Indonesian Basketball
\nAssociation (Perbasi). (ivy)<\/p>",
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