Aspac snatches basketball crown
JAKARTA (JP): Aspac of Jakarta needed a deciding three-pointer from Mohammad Rifky to claim the Kobatama national basketball league championship title with a dramatic 73-70 win over defending champion Hadtex of Bandung here yesterday.
The two arch rivals were looking at the strong possibility of extra time with a 70-70 deadlock, when with just three seconds left Rifky flipped the ball into the basket from a meter outside Hadtex's defensive court. Rifky did not even waste time trying to control a pass from teammate Rinaldo.
The over-crowded Senayan basketball hall burst into thunderous jubilation as Filipino referee Rolando Omampo blew the final whistle right after Rifky sank the ball into the basket.
"I only thought I had to come to a right decision, or we would have gone into overtime. I was certain I could do it," Rifky said as fans crowded around him clamoring for his autograph.
Aspac players and officials shared a deafening victory celebration, squirting champagne at each other before the medal presentation. It was sweet revenge for Aspac which was favored but slid to an upset defeat to Hadtex at the same place last year.
"Our local players could match their imported teammates during the tense game. We avoid resting our hopes merely on our foreign players," Aspac manager Irawan Haryono said.
American Bobby Parks led Aspac's scoring with 26 points, tied with Hadtex's new signing Ray Kelly. Dwayne McClein poured in another 20 points for Aspac.
"We unfortunately only have one Kelly," Hadtex manager Suwadi Bing Adi complained. "We have done our best. I'm not ashamed to lose in this heart-stopping final," he added.
Kelly, who played his two last games with a knee injury, was the architect of Hadtex's fight back midway into the second half. Trailing 35-37 in the first 20 minutes, Kelly led Hadtex's charge to take over the lead at 70-67 with just 1:12 remaining.
Rinaldo came ahead just in time to save Aspac from a repeated humiliation when he shot a three-pointer to pull level. The two sides slowed the pace in the final minute.
Aspac won the winner's Rp 20 million (US$9,000) cash prize, while Hadtex had to be content with Rp 15 million.
In the third-place play-off, Pelita Jaya of Jakarta beat BS Nikko Steel of Malang 103-94. (amd)