Jakarta too powerful in Volleyball Championships

JAKARTA (JP): Host team Jakarta proved too powerful for its counterparts from other provinces on the third day of the 2001 Interchapter National Volleyball Championships at Bung Karno Sports Complex basketball hall in Senayan.

The Jakarta women's team maintained its top position in the pool Y standings after defeating Central Java 3-0 (25-14, 25-16, 25-11) on Wednesday.

Another favorite, East Java, trailed close behind in second place after continuing its second consecutive win, defeating Banten 3-0 (25-22, 25-16, 25-11).

In the men's event, Jakarta had no difficulty beating Central Kalimantan 3-0 (25-19, 25-18, 25-14).

East Kalimantan managed to win the first set but failed to continue its form, eventually losing to West Java 3-1 (21-25, 25- 20, 25-17, 25-22).

Other matches saw North Sumatra's men's team outclass South Sumatra 3-0 (25-22, 25-21, 25-14) and West Nusa Tenggara suffer its third consecutive loss, beaten by Banten 3-0 (25-22, 25-22, 25-21).

The men's teams from Central Java, East Java, Jambi and Yogyakarta were still playing their matches late on Wednesday.

Jakarta coach Sarmili fielded substitute players against Central Kalimantan, but they were still too strong.

The visitors mostly failed to block Jakarta's spikes and was not able to answer its rival's variety of shots.

"We intentionally fielded our substitute players against Central Kalimantan because we know that their players are two classes below ours.

"Moreover, we want to save our energy for the upcoming matches against North Sumatra (on Thursday) and East Java (on Friday). Both teams are also powerful," Sarmili said.

He said that the team's substitute players had abilities equal to their frontline players.

In Tuesday's late matches, West Nusa Tenggara men's team lost for the second time, beaten by Yogyakarta 3-0 (25-18, 25-17, 25- 23). East Java men's team also beat North Sumatra 3-0 (25-21, 25- 9, 25-20).

The eight winners and runners-up from two pools in the men's and women's events will progress to Saturday's quarterfinals. The final will be held on Sunday.

The men's and women's champions will take home Rp 6 million each, runners-up Rp 4 million, while third and fourth will earn Rp 3 million and Rp 2 million respectively. Top male and female players will bag an extra Rp 1 million each.

As of Wednesday, few spectators had been attending the event, staged for the first time in seven years. Tickets to the preliminary matches are being sold at a price of Rp 10,000, while finals tickets will cost Rp 20,000. (ivy)