Aspac, Bhinneka to compete for basketball league title

JAKARTA (JP): Defending champion Aspac Texmaco and Bhinneka Sritex of Surakarta, Central Java, will tussle for the champions title in the Nuvo Kobatama basketball league final, which will apply the best-of-three system for the first time.

"Bhinneka's management board is satisfied with the players success in having reached the final. They have shown consistency and a fighting spirit that will boost Bhinneka's image to basketball fans," Bhinneka assistant manager, Tommy Lianggono, told a media conference on Thursday.

Tommy said his players were confident of taking the league's championship title from Aspac.

Bhinneka reached the final after beating 1999 champion Satria Muda while home favorite Aspac ousted Panasia Indosyntec of Bandung at last weekend's semifinals.

"Our players have always had problems when facing Satria Muda and Panasia. It's easier for them to challenge Aspac, who will be under pressure to retain the title."

In the league, Aspac only lost twice to Satria Muda in the second leg in Surakarta, Central Java and the fourth leg in Bandung.

"Bhinneka managed to reach the 1997 and 1999 final. We made an impressive achievement in our first participation in Kobatama in 1997, by beating Aspac in the semifinal.

"In 1998, we were eliminated in the qualifying round. But in 1999, we beat Aspac, who were the favorites at that time, in the semifinal. We only lost to Satria Muda in the final because we underestimated their players, who had never beaten us before."

The management of Bhinneka had earlier pledged to provide a cash bonus of Rp 500 million (US$43,860) if the team wins the title. The players have already pocketed Rp 250 million after ensuring their place in the finals.

The finals will take place on July 7, July 8 and July 10 and will be aired live by SCTV private station at 3:30 p.m. Jakarta Time.

In contrast to Bhinneka's enthusiasm to face the finals, Aspac took the prospect of the finals calmly.

"Aspac hasn't made any special preparation to face Bhinneka because we have met many times before and we know our strength and weaknesses. But Tommy must bear in mind that Aspac, which lost to them in 1997, was different from Aspac in 2001," manager Lexi Rohi said.

He also said that Aspac saw Bhinneka as a relatively easy foe, compared to other teams.

"We have a good defense that will enable us to beat Panasia in the semifinals. But we received another boost after knowing that Bhinneka won their first semifinals match. We now have another easy way to retain the title."

As Aspac is more dominant due to its solid defense and the player's good stamina, Bhinneka is famous for its aging players.

"We play efficiently. Our players are old, but they are experienced. Our substitutes also possess the same skills. The players are currently polishing their three-pointer shooting ability to match Aspac's defense," Tommy said.

Lexi said that Aspac's players knew what to do to knock Bhinneka out and lift the President's Cup. "We are focusing on our defense," Lexi said. (ivy)