Indonesia to semifinal at ABC championship

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)