Yogya Tomkins out front in Proliga

Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Yogyakarta Tomkins men's team continued their winning ways on Sunday in the first series of the 2005 Proliga Volleyball championship.

Although other teams have recruited foreign players to boost their ranks, Yogyakarta's squad of homegrown talent romped to a 3-0 (25-23, 25-20, 25-19) defeat of Jakarta P2B Sananta.

The win was surprisingly routine considering the latter had defeated defending champion Surabaya Flame Samator 3-2 (21-25, 23-25, 25-20, 25-19. 15-13) on Saturday.

Yogyakarta Tomkins, which also beat Jakarta Electric PLN on Friday without losing a game, now leads the 2005 Proliga with two wins.

The team seemed to be playing without pressure on Sunday, working together to take the first game and settling into a confident rhythm in the second.

Yogyakarta Tomkins captain A. Marjoko Sigit and Soleh Hartadi were able to launch a series of spikes and block forays from Jakarta P2B Sananta.

Befuddled Jakarta P2B Sananta players were unable to play their game, their spikes either blocked or smacked out in frustration.

In the final game, Yogyakarta Tomkins cranked up the pace to hammer home their domination.

Sigit and Soleh once again led their teammates in a series of successful spikes, with Soleh fittingly ending the match with a scorcher.

Yogyakarta Tomkins trainer Wasit Widodo said the successive wins did not come through luck.

"We have practiced hard and continuously for the 2005 Proliga," he said.

"Now, we can play very well and also win the match."

Jakarta P2B Sananta assistant coach Benny Martarius said his players suffered a letdown after beating Surabaya Flame Samator.

"We didn't have the mental strength to win the match today. We made 26 errors, so it was only to be expected that we lose."

In the women's division, Yogyakarta Tomkins defeated Bandung Art Deco Bank Jabar 3-2 (17-25, 25-20, 13-25, 25-17, 17-15) to bring its match tally to one win and one loss.

Jakarta 46 BNI is the leading women's team with two wins.

In Sunday's evening matches, Jakarta Electric PLN men's team handed another loss to hapless Surabaya Flame Samator in a hard- fought 27-25, 25-23, 25-15.

Jakarta Electric PLN's women's team, the title holder, surrendered a game in beating Gresik Phonska Bank Jatim 25-17, 25-13, 20-25, 25-21.

The second series the league will be held in Bandung from March 11-13.