Four clubs favored for Kobatama final four
By Ivy Susanti
SURABAYA (JP): Four teams are likely to secure the final four berths after they outclassed rivals in the last day of the A Mild Kobatama national basketball league's third series at the Pacific basketball stadium on Wednesday.
Defending champion Panasia Indosyntec taught a lesson to underdog Siliwangi with 91-47 in the first game, while the 1998 league's runner-up Aspac beat Bima Sakti Nikko Steel 59-49 in the third game.
Bhinneka Sritex had to sweat it out before defeating Jakarta- based Citra Satria Pelita (CSP) 63-54 in a do-or-die match. Mahaka Satria Muda (SM), another favorite for the top four, was still playing Pacific Bank Swadesi as of 9 p.m. The result, however, will not change the standings.
From the result, Panasia and Aspac have to win at least two games in the next series, and Bhinneka, who finished fifth in the 1998 league, and Mahaka, which was in the bottom position in 1998, have to win three.
Favorite Indonesia Muda (IM) Texmaco had a narrow chance to make the final four following its loss of 48-59 to little-known home team Cahaya Lestari Surabaya on Tuesday evening.
IM, which is ranked third in the 1998 league, needs to win all nine remaining games in the next series to retain its title.
Panasia's team manager, Danny Kosasih, said the four teams must avoid being defeated by smaller teams in the next series.
"Small teams will benefit more because they earn one point while we lose one. We must avoid that," he said.
Aspac coach, Tjetjep Firmansyah, said his team should win five games before he is assured that Aspac can perform in the final four.
"We have to win the next five matches as any of the other three strong candidates can surpass our points. Our players still need to improve their zone defense skills. In the next series, our rivals can apply a new strategy to win a game. We have to anticipate that," said Tjetjep, who also coached the national team of the 1999 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.
Bhinneka's coach assistant, Hartono, said his team had to win four games to enter the top four.
Siliwangi can not challenge the favorite champion, although Panasia fielded its junior players. Both Bandung-based teams finished first and last in the standings.
However, Siliwangi coach, Srigiyanto, said the team had not set its target on the overall title. He reiterated that his players were preparing for the 2000 National Games (PON) which will be held here.
But he promised a surprising performance in the fourth series in Bandung starting Oct. 18.
CSP was about to surpass Bhinneka in the second half but its players were shocked after forward Nala was ejected for technical fault five minutes before the end of the second half. CSP was left behind 51-52.
However, CSP coach, Toto Sudarsono, said he was satisfied with his players' form. CSP, which plays under the name of Pelita Bakrie, finished in third place last year.
Basketball fans named 10 players -- Kiki Susilo, Pek King Dhay, IG. Agus Wahyudi, Antonius Joko E. and Saut Lambok Jonson for the eastern side and AF. Rinaldo, I Nyoman Suwandi Menara, Bayu Radityo, Dwi Eriano and Rommy Chandra to represent the western side -- to play in the all-stars meet in Yogyakarta on Oct. 10.