Aspac, Indosyntec to meet in final
Aspac, Indosyntec to meet in final
JAKARTA (JP): Defending champion Aspac of Jakarta capitalized
on Bima Sakti Nikko Steel's last-minute fouls to edge out the
Malang club 76-68 (36-38) in the Kobatama national basketball
league final four matches yesterday.
Aspac's victory renders a carbon copy of last year's final
because it will take on Panasia Indosyntec of Bandung in
tomorrow's final. Indosyntec had first-half trouble before seeing
off newcomer Satria Muda 95-84.
Both Aspac and Bima Sakti were error-prone in the first half.
Scores raced wildly, with many scores resulting from free-throws.
Aspac's star, Kenny Travis, was often frustrated as he
frequently failed his free-throws. Bima Sakti's Victor Roring was
successful in preventing Travis from developing his powerful,
stealthy attacks.
The erroneous tones of both teams lingered into the second
half, but the marked difference between the two was that Travis
was out of Roring's shadows. Roring had committed enough fouls
and risked being sent off.
When Travis escaped from close marking, Aspac became more
spirited. At 40-40, Travis poured in two three-pointers which
left his opponents panting with a wide 46-40 gap. But Bima's
Sujudi soon came to the rescue, scoring two three-pointers to
equalize at 46-46.
In the other match of the day, last year's losing finalist
Indosyntec, led by its American Gerald McDonald and Nigerian-born
Emeka Okinwa, found real opposition in the first half which saw
the Bandung side managing only a slender lead of 51-49.
McDonald led the scoring with 32 points for Indosyntec, and
Okinwa added 25. Mark Moton threw in 31 points and Robert
Richardson 28 for final four debutante Satria Muda.
"Our players carried a great burden because today's was a do-
or-die game," Suwadi Bing Andi, Indosyntec's team manager said
afterwards.
"We just aimed to get into the final. We've achieved that and
we hope we can win the deciding match on Saturday," he added.
Indosyntec coach Deddy K said that despite the win, his men
failed to benefit from man-to-man marking, which he had believed
would keep the Jakarta side's forays at bay.
"Apparently it did not work very well. Satria Muda has
excellent shooters," he praised his opposing team.
Suwadi said his men would play without any pressure but
expected a tough game in the final tomorrow.
It was clear that Satria Muda players lacked the composure
they needed in such a tense semifinal. Two of them, Rivelino and
Indrawan Waskito, were fouled off, while another four were a foul
away from receiving their marching orders.
"They have not had enough experience for such a crucial
match," Satria Muda team manager Doedi Gumbira said. (yan/arf)