Indonesia suffers second defeat

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian men's basketball team, preparing for the Kuala Lumpur 2001 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, suffered its second straight defeat in the Philippines National Basketball League (NBL) invitational, beaten 66-75 by the University of Manila team on Wednesday.

Both teams were tied 22-22 after the first quarter in a rough game. But the national team failed to maintain its form, trailing 26-40 after the second quarter.

Coach Tjetjep Firmansyah gave all his squad members the chance to play to test their physical endurance, team manager Erick Thohir said.

Erick also said players of both teams came close to physical clashes several times during the tight game.

The national team will face the Konica team on Thursday. (nvn)