Mahaka SM eyes top position in western division

SURABAYA (JP): Mahaka Satria Muda were preparing to take command of the western division after it upset Cahaya Lestari Surabaya (CLS) of the eastern division 70-45 in the sixth day of the third series of the A Mild Kobatama national basketball league at Pacific basketball stadium on Monday.

Underdogs Siliwangi apparently could not improve their bottom position as they lost to Bima Sakti Nikko Steel 59-76 in the first game. Siliwangi's fate in the premier division would be decided in the playoff.

Favorites and champions Bhinneka Sritex Solo played against Indonesia Muda Texmaco.

Mahaka SM proved themselves to be ready for the overall title although it has no national players in its squad. It stole the show on Sunday night after humiliating defending champions Panasia Indosyntec 53-50.

They had been preparing their team in Jakarta before the league kicked off on Aug. 31 in Cirebon, West Java.

Mahaka SM's coach Rastafari Madjid said his players managed to take control of their game.

"Our defender, Yopie Junior, has saved many important points for our team. He also played as good as today when we met Panasia. We have to keep our eye on CLS' Johanes Wahyudi, Mulyohadi Soesilo and Ferry Chandra, because they could shoot very well," he said.

"CLS were playing monotonously, so we began to adjust to their play and try to better their performance," said Rastafari, former coach of the IM Texmaco.

He also said that his players benefited from the poor play of CLS' defenders, Wahyu Johny Kuncoro and Hari Suharsono, who failed in the selection for national team of the 1999 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

"Johny and Hari are tall players, but Johny moved very slow. So we benefited from this situation," he said.

CLS coach Wellyanto Pribadi said he was dissatisfied with his players' performances.

"During the first half, our players suddenly lost their fighting spirit and they produced so many faults. After that, they could not lift up their spirit," he said.

He also regretted Hari's poor performance.

"Only one player, Agung Sunarko, performed very well tonight. He has a lot of self-confidence. I don't know why the other players could not free themselves from the pressure," he said.

Tuesday's game will feature Panasia v Citra Satria Pelita, Pacific Bank Swadesi v Aspac and CLS v IM Texmaco. (ivy)