Russia to be lone star at Independence Cup

Russia to be lone star at Independence Cup

JAKARTA (JP): Russia, fresh from its solid showing at the
World Championships in Toronto, Canada, will be the lone star at
the fifth Independence Cup basketball tourney to be held in the
Senayan indoor stadium from Aug. 25-30.

Ecky Tamlahittu, an official from the Indonesian Basketball
Association (Perbasi) announced that Valery Borisov, Igor Tchrov
and Sergei Shourev will lead the Russian cakewalk at the six-day
event.

The red-hot favorite will fight Asia's top teams from the
United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Iran, South Korea and the
Philippines in a round-robin tournament.

"China's World Championship squad were scheduled to make the
trip here, but succumbed to exhaustion," Ecky said. The Chinese
team, winner of the Asian Basketball Championship here last year,
carved out a piece of history by reaching the quarterfinals for
the first time in the world's most prestigious basketball meet.

Russia sprang a surprise by edging out Olympic silver medalist
Croatia before being served up to the American Dream Team II.

Indonesia is scheduled to field two teams, the Jakarta City
team and one from West Java. American Kirkland Ivory will make
his long awaited debut for the Jakarta team at the annual event.
Foreign journeymen are being introduced in the new style semi-
professional basketball league, which begins next month.

"We are realistic about our chances. Our goal is to gain some
valuable experience," Ecky said, adding that he was not afraid
that local teams would be humiliated.

Thursday's opening matches pit West Java against Saudi Arabia,
while Iran meets South Korea. (hdj)