Peerless HP Aspac soars to IBL glory
Musthofid, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta
All-conquering Hewlett Packard Aspac was crowned the 2005 Indonesian Basketball League (IBL) champion on Friday after defeating Satria Muda Britama 62-52 in Senayan, Central Jakarta.
Aspac, who beat titleholders Satria 59-40 in the first game in Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta, last week, took an unassailable lead in the best-of-three final series.
Aspac, unbeaten this year and a finalist every year since it won the inaugural IBL in 2003, avenged its 0-2 loss to Satria last year in taking its second title.
As his players celebrated inside Senayan Basketball Hall, Aspac coach Tjetjep Firmansyah stood beaming among the assembled reporters.
"I told the players that although we had a record of 18-0 in the regular games, we hadn't proved we were the strongest team yet. The final task was still ahead," Tjetjep said.
Riko Hantono was chosen Most Valuable Player (MVP) after overcoming early jitters for a strong finish in the final two quarters.
Unable to break through in the opening two quarters, the 25 year old upped his game to notch 15 points, the highest total for his team.
Tjetjep refused to heap all the praise on Riko.
"I won't single out one player. All the players performed well," said the coach, who admitted to having been more nervous in the second game than he was last week.
Satria initially executed the game plan of coach Fictor "Ito" Gideon Roring, who had vowed earlier this week to seize the attack, before they fizzled.
Bugi Setiawan drilled under the basket to give his team an 11- 9 lead in the first quarter as Aspac's players appeared nervous, especially Riko.
Romy Chandra inspired the Aspac fightback in the second quarter, scoring seven points, including two three-pointers, to give his team a 25-24 edge.
In a contest of Jakarta teams where hometown pride was on the line, the shouts of the small section of Satria supporters were drowned out by Aspac fans.
As the tension grew, Ito -- no doubt desperate to prevent the rival side from finishing the season without a loss -- issued some desperate instructions to his players, his exhortations earning a warning from the umpire.
It was then that Riko got into his stride. He scored seven points to help Aspac reach 44-38 at the end of the third quarter. He went from strength to strength in the final quarter, ably supported by Andhi Pujakesuma on offensive rebounds.
"The players looked nervous at the start. At times they got swept up in the situation. However, they got better in the later stages," Tjetjep said.
Aspac advanced to the final by defeating Bhinneka Sritex 2-0 in the semifinals while Satria stopped Panasia Garuda by the same score.