Aspac meets Panasia in league final

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)