Aspac snatches basketball crown
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)