Pelita Jaya to give bonuses to players

JAKARTA (JP): Big cash bonuses await Pelita Jaya players if they win the Kobatama national basketball league championship finals at the Senayan basketball hall this weekend.

Pelita Jaya's team manager Toto Sudarsono told a press conference yesterday that the club's owners will provide the cash, though he refused to say how much. He also refused to say whether local players would receive the same amount as their foreign teammates.

"Literally speaking, my boys can go shopping with their bucks," Toto said. "Cash bonuses purely serve as incentives to win the prestigious matches," he added.

Toto was the only team manager to come to the press conference yesterday. League administrator Budi Santosa said all four team managers were invited to speak during the conference.

Pelita Jaya finished third in the league after the fourth leg this month in Malang, East Java. The Jakarta-based team is tipped to meet second-place finisher and defending champion Hadtex of Bandung in Friday's final four round at the Senayan basketball hall.

League leader Aspac of Jakarta plays fourth-place BS Nikko Steel of Malang, East Java, for the other berth in Saturday's grand final.

"We are in the right shape to win the championship after overcoming the grueling preliminary rounds," Toto said. "We even expect a possible final matchup against Aspac," he added.

Pelita Jaya, receiving fresh blood with the signings of Anthony Jones and Claude Moore, recorded 13 wins with five losses. Defending champion Hadtex finished second with the same record but with more goals scored.

Aspac is favored to reach its third successive grand final this season with a nearly flawless record, beaten only once in 18 of its preliminary round-robin matches.

Also this weekend, two first division bottom feeders of the 10-field league will struggle to avoid demotion during round- robin matches against two top teams from the second division. (amd)