CLS takes Cup with easy victory

JAKARTA (JP): Cahaya Lestari Surabaya (CLS) proved itself a champion in winning the Megawati Soekarnoputri Cup at Senayan basketball hall here on Friday, thrashing Merah Putih (MP) Medco 70-44.

The team hopes the result is a foretaste of success in this year's national women's basketball league (Kobatama), which is scheduled to begin after June. CLS has won the league title for four consecutive years since 1996.

In another Cup match on Friday, Caecilia of Aspac scored her final three points with four seconds left, leading her team past Rajawali of Bandung 60-59. The result gave Aspac third place in the tournament.

CLS center Vivi Puspasari scored 21 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to bring the Cup to Surabaya, and Bella chipped in with 18 points and 13 rebounds. Vivi was voted the Most Valuable Player (MVP) on Friday, and Bella was honored as the best player of the tournament.

The game was an unforgettable present for Vivi, who turned 22 year on Friday.

"I'm very delighted. I always try to give my best in every game. I wasn't overconfident of victory because our chances were 50-50 with MP," she said after the game.

Bella said after the game that her effort had left her drained. "I'm very tired. I played the whole game, while other players were substituted. On the other hand, our team has good players and the substitutes have the same skill (as the starters)," she said.

CLS coach Wellyanto Pribadi refused to get too excited about his team's victory, expressing hope his team could build on the win when Kobatama began.

"We're not sure about winning Kobatama because the atmosphere will be different. Hopefully, the team can maintain its victorious spirit," he said.

Aspac and Rajawali were equally matched, but Rajawali point guard Jane Johan's failure to convert two free throws when her team led 59-57 was costly.

Ninon of Aspac led her team with 17 points and seven rebounds, while Ciauliana of Rajawali had 19 points and four rebounds.

Utama of Yogyakarta finished in last place in the Cup after losing to Rajawali Sakti of Surabaya 62-77 on Thursday.

Sahabat of Surabaya avenged an earlier defeat to Bhinneka Sritex Solo with a 70-54 victory on Thursday, earning fifth place in the tournament.

In their first meeting on Monday, Bhinneka beat Sahabat 70-55. Bhinneka finished sixth in the tournament. (ivy)