Bima Sakti whips Hadtex 97-53

Bima Sakti whips Hadtex 97-53

JAKARTA (JP): A one-sided match opened the first leg of the
ninth national semi-professional basketball league (Kobatama)
yesterday, which, for the first time in its 12-year-old history
has players imported from the U.S., China, Canada and the
Philippines.

Spearheaded by Morgan Wheat of the United States and Scott
Peterson of Canada, the highest scorers with 36 and 32
respectively, the Bima Sakti club of Malang, East Java, easily
defeated the Hadtex club of Bandung, West Java, 93-57.

Peterson was named the most valuable player of the match. He
recorded 14 rebounds, one assist and two block shots.

Shortly after the match began, Hadtex aggressively took the
initiative but it gradually became apparent that Hadtex was not
Bima Sakti's equal.

Hadtex made many mistakes in passing and even though it was
strengthened by their two players imported from China, Zhuang Cen
Cu and Cai Chang Yi, their shooters were not nearly as accurate
as their American opponents.

At 27-37, it was more and more difficult for Hadtex to add
points, particularly due to poor coordination among its players.
Bima Sakti, on the other hand, was relatively free and scored
point after point. Bima Sakti closed the first half ahead 44-33.

In the second half, Hadtex wasted many golden opportunities.
Driven by emotion to score, and after some aggressively stealing,
Hadtex became more and more error-prone, giving 13 free throws to
Bima Sakti.

Around 1,000 people filled the 4,000-seat Senayan basket hall
yesterday. "This is quite well attended," said Soedarno, the
league's administrator. He said in previous seasons, the number
of spectators was so small that the organizer incurred losses.

Soedarno hoped the imported players would attract more people
to the matches and invite more sponsors. "So far, sponsors are
reluctant to help finance any basketball events we arrange due to
poor attendance," he grumbled.

The second round of the league will be held in Surabaya, East
Java, from Oct. 26-29, before moving to Bandung, West Java, from
Nov. 24-27.

Jakarta will host the final leg from Dec. 14-16, when only
eight teams will be eligible to take part in a total of 20
matches. The teams will then be split into two groups, with the
top two teams of each group qualifying for the cross-over
semifinals. (arf)

Today's fixture:
16.30 Bima Sakti v CLS
18.00 Aspac v Glory
19.30 IM v Siliwangi
21.00 Pacific v Halim
22.30 Pelita Jaya v Hadtex