Putri inspires E. Java to glory

Putri inspires E. Java to glory

JAKARTA (JP): Putri Hasibuan chalked up two key victories to lead East Java to win the women's team title at the national table tennis championships in Bandung, West Java on Tuesday.

Putri assured her side of the coveted trophy by upsetting home favorite Lingling Agustin 21-16, 20-22, 22-20 in their deciding fifth match, giving the East Javanese an overall 3-2 win.

Putri, a member of the country's winning team at the 18th Southeast Asian Games last December, got off to a surprising start when she scalped national number one Rossy Dipoyanti in straight sets 21-12, 29-27 to put East Java 1-0 ahead.

West Java went level after Lingling beat Nilasari, but East Java pulled ahead through the solid partnership of Putri and Yulianti who beat Rossy and Nuni. Rossy kept her team's hopes alive with a 23-21, 21-8 win over Nilasari. (amd)