Jakarta Monas keeps up winning streak

Jakarta Monas keeps up winning streak

Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta

Men's volleyball team Jakarta Monas Bank DKI extended its
winning streak by defeating Yogya Tomkins on day one of the fifth
series of the 2005 Sampoerna Hijau Proliga volleyball tournament.

Jakarta Monas Bank DKI overcame the spirited challenge of
Yogya Tomkins 3-0 (25-23, 25-21, 29-27) for its seventh win in a
row and to stay atop the standings.

In the first game, Jakarta Monas Bank DKI took a 16-12 lead
before going off the boil and letting the score reach an
uncomfortably close 21-20.

But the host side's pair of foreign players, Marcello Baretto
of Brazil and Liang Tan of China, stepped up in the clinch with
several deadly spikes for the game.

In the second game, Jakarta Monas Bank DKI players continued
to dominate with a 12-5 lead. Once again, the side became
complacent, and Yogya Tompkins began to poke holes in their
defense.

After Yogya's Miko Fajar Bramantyo and Muhammad Zaenuddin
hammered home several spikes, Jakarta Monas Bank DKI opted to
take a time out at 18-16.

They team recouped and came back fighting to take the game.

In the third game, Yogya Tomkins had its chances at 14-13, 16-
14 and 27-26 but Jakarta Monas Bank DKI fought back to seal
victory.

Jakarta Monas Bank DKI manager Zulfarshah denied that his team
was given a scare after underestimating the opposition.

"Our opponents just didn't have the fine finishing touch
although they took a lead against us several times," he said.

"We concentrated on getting out to a fast lead to destroy
their defense."

Yogya Tomkins trainer Wasit Widodo said his players were not
at their best due to the mental burden of a financial problem
with their sponsor.

"We just hope that our players will be able to concentrate on
their remaining matches so that we could advance to the
semifinal," he said.

With the loss, Yogya Tomkins has 2-5 win-loss record and is
fifth in the standings. Jakarta 46 BNI (6-1) is second in the
standings.

Earlier in the day, women's volleyball team Bandung Art Deco
defeated Gresik Phonska Bank Jatim 3-0 (26-24, 25-22, 27-25).

Jakarta 46 BNI heads the women's standings with five victories
and two defeats, followed by Bandung Art Deco (5-3).