Indonesia cagers pull off upset win over Filipinos
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia defied all the odds to brilliantly pull off a 88-81 upset victory over the highly regarded Philippines 88-81 (36-47) in the Grand Final of the Second South East Asian Basketball Association (SEABA) championships in Surabaya Friday.
The victory in the action-packed match at Kertajaya sports hall was a milestone in the history of national basketball: It was the first time ever that Indonesia beat the Philippines, the region's strongest basketball powerhouse.
When the final buzzer sounded 2,500 jubilant home spectators swarmed onto the court to congratulate their heroes as the whole Indonesian camp boisterously celebrated the epochal triumph.
"Before the match I stressed to my players that they have to stop the tide and dethrone the Philippines as the region's basketball kingpin in Southeast Asia. I told them they have to make history by overcoming the jinx. And the players rose to the challenge splendidly," an elated national coach Tjetjep Firmansyah said.
He attributed Indonesia's upset but well-deserved victory to the cagers' unflinching and never-say-die fighting spirit. "Our players were slightly inferior to the Filipinos in terms of playing skills and tactics, not to mention height and experience. But the boys made up for it by displaying tremendous fighting spirit throughout the match and it ultimately ruffled the Filipinos," Tjetjep said.
He said the vociferous cheers from the partisan spectators chanting "Indonesia...Indonesia.." and stamping their feet every time a home player scored,"did wonders for our players' morale." "We thanked our lovely crowd for their support and encouragement."
Suko Daryono, from Jakarta's Aspac club, played a pivotal role in Indonesia's triumph. The three-point specialist emerged as the top scorer with 29 points to his credit
Captain Filixs Bendatu, Suko's club mate, contributed 27 points, followed by Fictor Roring, also from Aspac, with 10 points.
"I think the key to our victory was our great confidence and never-say-die spirit. We were not cowed by the Filipinos' high- flying reputation. Before the match we were all determined to break the drought....thank God we made it," said the 1.96m tall Suko.
Fightback
Trailing 37-46 at half time, Indonesia staged a tremendous fightback in the brisk see-saw game that saw fortunes fluctuate.
Apparently disappointed at the leadership of referee Komut C from Thailand, several Philippine players and officials surrounded the referee at the end of the match, hurling abuse and jostling and hustling him. Had it not been for the swift action of security officials, the referee might have been manhandled by the angry Filipinos who appeared ready to vent their anger and frustration on him.
Philippine assistant coach Louis Alas expressed his deep disappointment at a string of what he called "highly questionable decisions" by referee Komut. He specifically cited four free throws awarded by the referee to Indonesia in the final minutes.
"I feel the referee bore a personal grudge against us after we beat Thailand in a previous match,"a fuming Alas told Antara. But he readily admitted the match was so close his team lost much of their usual touch and rhythm playing the Indonesians.
Indonesian manager Doddie Gambiro said the Thai referee had done his job "quite well". "Perhaps he made several wrong decisions, but it was also at our expense not only at that of the Filipinos."
He strongly rejected the cynical allegations by some Philippine players and officials that Indonesia's victory was helped by the referee.
SEABA secretary Yeoh Choo Hock of Malaysia agreed with Doddie.
"I can not justify the Philippines' angry protests. No victory in basketball was decided by the referee," he said, adding:"By all means Indonesia deserved the victory."
In the playoff for third and fourth placing, Thailand edged Malaysia, 81-80 after leading 49-43 at half-time. (bas)