Indonesia to semifinal at ABC championship

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's Aspac advanced to the semifinals of the 8th Asian Basketball Confederation championship yesterday after ousting Hong Kong's Regal 91-71 in the quarterfinals.

The win put Aspac on top Group A and it now plays China's PLA Hongshan -- the Group B runner-up -- in the semifinals.

Aspac took control of the game early, taking a 22-11 lead against Regal in the first 15 minutes.

Boosted by a vocal home crowd, Aspac's players more than matched Regal's strong players led by its foreign giant John Spencer.

But it was Aspac's foreign player, Boby Park, who dominated and helped Aspac to a 48-33 halftime lead.

Boby Park played better than Aspac's other foreign player, Steve McGlothin.

Aspac's Indonesian players included A.F. Rinaldo, Ali Budimansyah and Rommy C. Chandra.

Aspac raced to a 57-40 lead in the second half.

Rinaldo played well, distributing the ball to his teammates and running to find holes in the Regal's defense.

Regal did not play well in the second half and Spencer was on court for only a few minutes.

Relying on Ng Chu Yip and Choi Fong Yue, Regal tried to catch up with Aspac but could get no closer than 62-50 behind.

Aspac then picked up the pace to secure a handsome 91-71 win.

The defeat did not affect Regal's already booked semifinals berth. It will play Japan's KIA Motor.

In other matches yesterday South Korea's Izusu Motors beat Pla Hongshan 86-71 and Iran's Zob Ahan beat Singapore's Tong Whye 88- 68. (03)