Satria Muda, CSP record their first wins at home

JAKARTA (JP): Satria Muda and Bali Jeff Citra Satria Pelita (CSP) recorded their first wins at home in the 2001 Nuvo Kobatama national basketball league on Friday.

The 1999 league champion Satria Muda was forced to work hard before managing to overcome Bima Sakti Nikko Steel of Malang, East Java, 87-61 at Bung Karno basketball stadium here.

Meanwhile CSP was too strong for Angsapura Sania of Medan, North Sumatra, who has only been promoted to the main division this year. CSP outclassed Angsapura 88-64.

With its win, Satria Muda maintains third position in the overall standings behind defending champions Jakarta Aspac Texmaco and Bhinneka Sritex of Surakarta, Central Java.

CSP secured fifth place, one place below 2000 runners-up Panasia Indosyntec of Bandung in fourth.

Bima Sakti and Angsapura remain on shaky ground, placed eight and ninth on the ladder respectively, in a league of only 10 teams.

Aspac beat Bhinneka Sritex 76-56 on Friday's last match.

High-spirited Bima Sakti was leading Satria Muda after the first quarter 20-18, but could not maintain its advantage, trailing 41-36 at half time.

In the third quarter, coach Rastafari Horongbala unleased senior player Fictor G. Roring, who boosted the team's fighting spirit to stretch its lead to 65-45.

Satria Muda forward Wahyu Widayat said he was under pressure during the first two quarters.

"In the first and second quarters we felt pressured to win on our home court. The pressure absorbed almost all of my energy. But in the last two quarters I could deal with it," he told a post-match conference.

Wahyu said his team wanted to win four of five matches in the series.

"We want to win four of five matches here, with a margin for one loss, but other Jakarta-based clubs could be a stumbling block to our hopes because we are now already playing with a home court advantage.

"For instance, CSP could pose a serious threat. But those who can overcome the pressure will win," he said.

Satria Muda will play CSP on Monday.

Bima Sakti coach Gan Hwie Liong said that he was satisfied with his players' performances.

"We know our strengths and we now realize that we can't outclass Satria Muda. The most important thing for us is to stay in the main division.

"We hope that we can win three games against Angsapura, Dwidasa Mitra and Indonesia Muda," he said.

In matches to be played on Saturday, Wismilak Citra Lestari Surabaya will play Dwidasa Mitra, CSP lines up against Indonesia Muda and Panasia plays Angsapura. (ivy)