Sun, 19 Nov 2000

Aspac meets Panasia in league final

JAKARTA (JP): Home favorite Aspac edged out Indonesia Muda (IM) Texmaco 86-58 to set up the final clash with Bandung-based Panasia Indosyntec in the 2000 Nuvo Kobatama national basketball league at Senayan indoor stadium.

Panasia, three-times league's champion since 1994, took revenge over the defending champion Mahaka Satria Muda 73-57 earlier Saturday. Last year, Panasia walked out of the semis in a protest to the judges' decision, paving the way for Mahaka to earn its first title.

Sunday's final will be Aspac's fifth encounter with Panasia, in which both team won two and lost two matches each. Aspac failed to cruise into the 1997 final which saw Panasia beat Bhinneka Sritex of Surakarta to clinch its third title.

Aspac team captain Antonius Ferry Rinaldo scored 21 points and made five assists to earn the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the match. Other MVP was Panasia's top rebounder Antonius Joko Endratmo, who scored 17 points and made three assists.

Aspac seemed too strong for IM, which have some tough fights before reaching the final four. Aspac did not give IM's a chance to breath and put pressure since the jump ball. Aspac ended the first quarter with 17-14 victory.

Aspac advanced further in the second quarter which ended in 38-27. A tight mark from Aspac players had deterred IM's forward and guards to move. Aspac extended its lead to 56-38 and was undefeatable in the fourth quarter.

IM will play Mahaka for the third and fourth places Sunday.

"As the winning team, Aspac made higher shooting percentage than us. They have also developed a good defense. Judging the overall performances, I conclude that my players have done very well," IM coach Muhammad Rifky said after the match.

Aspac players successfully executed 26 of 45 chances for the field goals while IM only made 12 of 44 chances.

IM's team captain Rommy Chandra regretted his team's form.

"We have set up a strategy but we can't apply realize it on the court. Aspac players really freeze me and the remaining four players could not shoot very well."

Inal, nicknamed for Rinaldo, said that Aspac was ready to face Panasia in the final.

"We have to start the pressure on them. Both teams have good rotation. We will force them to play outside the key zone."

While Aspac coach Tjetjep Firmansyah said his team have learned much from its humiliating defeat from IM in the fourth series in Bandung.

"At that time, we failed to switch our players who only marked one IM's player. If we allow their outer forwards and guards to penetrate into the key zone, we will lost."

Mahaka's team captain Amran Andi Sinta could not hide his tears after the match.

"I'm crying because when we won the league title last year, people said that we're only lucky. And this year's result proved the sayings to be true."

He also expressed his disappointment over the defeat.

"I want to win today's match and reach the final as a birthday gift. However, the team has done its best and this is the best result for us," said the 28-year-old point guard.

He said that Mahaka must win over IM on Sunday to save its pride. (ivy)