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)