Leader HP Aspac pummels Panasonic

Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

League leader HP Aspac extended on Thursday its unbeaten record by crushing Indonesia Muda Panasonic Telkomsel 87-48 on the opening day of the seventh leg of the A Mild Indonesia Basketball League (IBL) 2005.

From the outset of the game at Soemantri Brodjonegoro Sports Hall, Kuningan, South Jakarta, HP Aspac players put up a formidable defense. Conversely, when on the attack, spearheaded by Andy Poedjakesuma and Riko Hantono, HP Aspac scored many points off fast breaks, leading 24-14 at the end of the first quarter.

In the second game, HP Aspac kept up the strategy when the opportunity presented itself, frustrating IM Panasonic. It built its lead up to 43-27 at the end of the first half.

Upon their return, IM Panasonic Telkomsel was still unable to find a way to break through the Aspac defense. The heavy downpour that hit Kuningan in the early evening and a leak in the hall's roof led to an unexpected break, but there was no change in the losing situation for Panasonic.

As IM Panasonic became increasingly desperate, with only Youbel Sondakh presenting a threat, HP Aspac's players gave a display of their individual skills. Veteran Ali Budimansyah and Mario Wuysang led HP Aspac in the third quarter with exciting plays.

Way ahead 60-35 at the end of the third quarter, HP Aspac went on to win 87-48.

HP Aspac head coach Tjetjep Firmansyah said his team succeeded in implementing a different playing strategy.

"We're trying a new system through the fast break. It works," he said. Also, IM Panasonic Telkomsel didn't play its usual game."

With the victory, HP Aspac remains atop the league standings with seven wins and no losses, while IM Panasonic stays in fifth with its four wins and four losses.