Aspac shows championship mettle to triumph over SM

BANDUNG (JP): Favored champion Aspac showed that experience tells by defeating Mahaka Satria Muda (SM) 46-42 on the second day of the 1999 A-Mild Kobatama National Basketball League here on Tuesday.

Aspac was matched for most of the game by SM, which boldly parried the attacks of the Western Division's top team. SM was the runner-up in the division after three series.

SM led 22-20 thanks to a throw from its experienced forwarder, Fictor Gideon Roring, but it was unable to open up a dominating lead. Aspac ended the first half leading 25-24.

Aspac opened up a 37-32 lead by the ninth minute of the second half. SM's players kept on fighting to prevent an increase in Aspac's score until the 13th minute of the second half.

Two minutes before the end of the second half, SM fought back with Aspac leading 44-42. The score did not change until 20 seconds before the match ended, with Aspac coach Tjetjep Firmansyah requesting several time-outs to brief his players.

Two free throws from Aspac guard Suko Daryono sealed his team's victory only six seconds before the end.

Tjetjep could not hide his joy after the victory. He acknowledged the match was difficult because his team was tired after playing Indonesia Muda Texmaco (IM) on Monday.

He said he was surprised by SM's tenacity.

SM's coach Rastafari Horongbala Madjid said Aspac had better technical skills. "Aspac was lucky," he said.

Rastafari also regretted the referee's decision to declare fouls against two of his players in the eighth minute of the second half.

Wednesday's schedule features Citra Satria Pelita against IM and SM versus Siliwangi. (43)