Jakarta 46 BNI managers to scale twin peaks for Proliga titles
Jakarta 46 BNI managers to scale twin peaks for Proliga titles
Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Jakarta 46 BNI's men's and women's teams served up double
delight for their fans by taking top honors at the 2005 Sampoerna
Hijau Proliga volleyball tournament in Senayan, Central Jakarta,
on Sunday.
Jakarta 46 BNI were impressive in holding their nerve against
the formidable attack of Jakarta Monas Bank DKI 3-1 (20-25, 30-
28, 25-20, 25-18), while its women's team also won 3-1 (25-21,
25-19, 25-27, 25-22) over defending champion Jakarta Electric
PLN.
Each team received a winner's check for Rp 75 million
(US$7,900).
Jakarta 46 BNI got off to a nervous start, allowing Jakarta
Monas Bank DKI to dictate the pace in the game.
Brazilian Marcello Barreto and Andri Widiatmoko of Jakarta
Monas Bank DKI looked unstoppable from the outset with a series
of powerful spikes, supported by teammate Tang Liang's excellent
blocking.
The team also started the second game confidently, opening up
leads of 16-13 and a 21-17 through spikes from Barreto, Andri and
Tang.
But after Brian Alfianto and Dwi Suharyono faulted on serve,
gifting two points to Jakarta 46 BNI, the latter began a
memorable comeback.
An unreturnable spike from Joao Eduardo de Paula closed the
gap to 21-20, before Jakarta Monas Bank DKI again took a 24-22
lead.
However, its players could not close out the game, and points
continued to go back and forth.
With the score tied at 28-all, it was a case of experience
telling as veteran player Loudry Maspaitella and Robbi Meliala
hit the winners to end the marathon game.
With Jakarta Monas Bank DKI seemingly dispirited, Jakarta 46
BNI was in complete control for the rest of the match.
Team captain Loudry, a member of the national squad since
1985, said the pressure of the occasion got to his team in the
first game.
"All of us played badly in the first game, but gradually,
after we were able to take the lead over them in the second game,
they started to look very nervous," he said.
"That was the turning point for us."
Barreto said the second game showed how a contest can turn in
a matter of seconds.
"Volleyball is a very fast game. Several of our players lost
concentration when we took the lead in the second game, which was
enough to turn a good situation into a bad one for us.
"We did our job well, but Jakarta 46 BNI did it better than
us."
In the women's final, Jakarta 46 BNI succeeded in stifling the
blocks of dangerous Aline Pereira of Brazil and Tien Mei of
China.
Jakarta 46 BNI's Dwi Sari, Tatsiana Kavaleuskaya and Sherisa
Livingston combined forces to great effect, despite losing the
thrilling third game.
Defending champion Surabaya Samator beat Jakarta Electric PLN
3-0 (25-21, 25-17, 25-18) for third place in the men's
competition, while Bandung Artdeco Bank Jabar's women were third
after defeating Jakarta Monas Bank DKI 3-1 (24-26, 25-22, 25-22,
25-21).
Johan R. Budiman of Jakarta 46 BNI and Michelle Collier of
Bandung Artdeco Bank Jabar were voted the Most Valuable Players
in the men's and women's divisions respectively.