Newly-promoted Dwidasa faces relegation in Kobatama c'ship

BANDUNG (JP): Newly promoted Dwidasa Mitra of Jakarta is facing relegation after it bowed out to home favorite Panasia Indosyntec 104-59 in the fourth leg of the 2000 Nuvo Kobatama national basketball league at the Padjadjaran Stadium Tuesday.

Dwidasa will have to defeat the bottom finisher Bima Sakti Nikko Steel of Malang, East Java, to remain in the main division. Dwidasa is now in the ninth position after winning three out of 14 matches while Bima Sakti moves one step ahead with four wins out of 13 matches.

In an earlier match, Pacific Caesar of Surabaya lost to Bali Jeff Citra Satria Pelita (CSP) 62-71.

While Indonesia Muda (IM) Texmaco was playing Wismilak CLS later on Tuesday. IM's position as one of the four finalist would be shaky should it lose in the match.

Bima Sakti suffered its first defeat of 63-98 to Jakarta-based Aspac on Monday night.

Aspac still tops the standing with 13 out of 14 match winnings. Panasia is second with 12 wins and two losses. Defending champion Mahaka Satria Muda remains third with nine wins and five losses while IM has so far won seven out of 13 matches.

Dwidasa failed to tame Panasia after the tip-off which allowed Panasia to take command in the first quarter with 26-17. In the second quarter, Dwidasa only managed to add 13 points while at the same time Panasia extended its lead to 53-30.

Dwidasa, relying on seasoned players Rommy Tanaka Patipeilohy and Andries Posumah, was weak in its defense and Panasia dominating the whole match. Panasia kept the lead in the third quarter 86-42.

Dwidasa team manager Andre Mamuaya said his team would have to fight all-out in the remaining two matches against CLS and Bima Sakti on Friday and on Saturday respectively.

"We have to win over Bima Sakti and we have to fight hard against CLS. If we beat Bima Sakti, and we tied in the points, we are still above Bima Sakti because we beat them in our last encounter in Surabaya," he said.

Andre also expressed disappointment over his team's performances in the league. "My heart hurts," he said before bowing his head and leaving the basketball court.

Dwidasa was just promoted to the main division this year. Two members of the first division, Angsapura Medan and Scorpio Jakarta, are ready to take over the ninth position while Bhinneka Sritex of Surakarta, which has been sanctioned, will return to next year's league as the bottom finisher.

Angsapura and Scorpio will fight for a berth to the main division from Nov. 20 to Nov. 22 after the leagues' final on Nov. 18 to Nov. 19.

While Pacific, which was earlier facing the relegation, is now safe in the seventh position. It has so far won four out of 14 matches.

"If we lost in the remaining two matches, it won't affect our position," said Pacific's manager Willy Winoto.

Pacific will meet Aspac Wednesday and Mahaka Friday.

Wednesday's matches will feature Mahaka against Bima Sakti and CSP against Panasia. (ivy)