Aspac beats Bhinneka to lead finals

Aspac beats Bhinneka to lead finals

JAKARTA (JP): Defending champion Aspac Texmaco of Jakarta took
the lead in the best-of-three final of the Kobatama basketball
league on Saturday, with an 87-72 defeat of Bhinneka Sritex of
Surakarta, Central Java.

Aspac's 2.04m tall center Cokorda Satria Wibawa was named the
MVP of the game after scoring 15 points, grabbing seven rebounds
and dishing out three assists. For the honor, he received Rp
500,000 (US$44) from sponsor Kratingdaeng energy drink.

Wiwin, Cokorda's nickname, was ably assisted by teammate Riko
Hantono, who led his team in scoring with 16 points to go along
with his eight rebounds and three assists. But Riko committed
seven turnovers, which explains why he was passed over for the
MVP honors.

Bhinneka faced a hostile crowd on Saturday as it began its
quest for the championship. This is Bhinneka's third trip to the
final since joining Kobatama in 1997. The team was absent from
the league in 2000 because of a suspension.

Home favorite Aspac received a boost from about 2,000
supporters, who packed the basketball hall at the Bung Karno
sports complex.

Bhinneka guard I Made "Lolik" Sudiadnyana, the backbone of the
team, was closely guarded by Aspac players throughout the game,
thought that did not stop him from scoring 39 points, hauling
down 12 rebounds and handing out three assists.

Aspac got off to a roaring start in the first quarter,
building a 27-17 lead by the time the horn blew on the quarter.

Aspac coach Tjetjep Firmansyah then called on forwards Tri
Adnyana Adiloka and Suko Daryono to bring some defensive
intensity to the game.

The strategy worked as Aspac widened the gap to 50-34 at the
end of the second quarter.

Bhinneka's players turned the ball over frequently in the
third quarter as Aspac moved its players out of the key and onto
the wings.

Despite the turnovers, Bhinneka was able to break through
Aspac's solid defense and cut the lead to 66-59.

Lolik scored 10 points for Bhinneka in the quarter, small
forward Sandy Salomo added nine points, guard Sujudi contributed
two points and veteran center Lie Tjui Tek had four points,
though none of these points came on three-point baskets.

In the final quarter, Bhinneka could only manage to put up 13
points while allowing Aspac to score 21.

Bhinneka assistant coach Armyn Johan said his players got off
to a poor start in the game.

"They played beneath their capabilities. If they could have
taken the lead in the first quarter, they would not have had any
problems in the remaining quarters. They failed to execute many
three-pointers, and Aspac played with self-confidence," he said.

He also said this loss would not dishearten his team. "We will
play our best tomorrow."

Bhinneka assistant manager Tommy Lianggono said the players
were caught off guard by Aspac's strategy, but the surprise was
over now. "We are sure we will win because now we know how Aspac
plays."

Aspac manager Irawan Haryono was optimistic his team would end
the final on Sunday. "If we win tomorrow, it will be our fourth
title." (ivy)