Top clubs struggle to get semis berth

SURABAYA (JP): Defending champions Panasia Indosyntec and arch rivals Aspac came closer to clinching the final four berth after overwhelming their opponents on the seventh day of the A Mild Kobatama national basketball league's third series at the Pacific basketball stadium here on Tuesday.

Eastern division favorite Panasia Indosyntec were unstoppable after beating Citra Satria Pelita (CSP) 69-52 in their first game on Tuesday

While western division champions Aspac, the 1998 league's runner-up, outclassed home favorites Pacific Bank Swadesi 81-58.

In the final game on Monday night, Bhinneka Sritex of the eastern division became a favorite for the final four after defeating Indonesia Muda (IM) Texmaco of the western division 60- 52.

IM, ranked third in 1998, have to defeat Cahaya Lestari Surabaya (CLS) in their last game on Thursday night in order to get a chance to secure a ticket to the final four. IM will play CLS later in the day.

Eastern division favorite Panasia is certain it can beat the Jakarta-based club who has top stars like power forward Antonius Joko Endratmo, point guard Kiki Susilo, center Saut Lambok Jonson and small forward I Gede Agus Wahyudi.

"Our young players did not perform well tonight. But we must give them a chance to play so they can gain experience of playing in the national league. Tomorrow (Wednesday) will be their show," said Danny Kosasih, Panasia's team manager.

On Wednesday, Bandung-based Panasia will play fellow countryman Siliwangi. Siliwangi are having trouble raising themselves from the bottom of the table and are hoping to win in the playoffs to keep their place in the premier division.

CSP counterattacked in the first half. When Panasia were a few points behind CSP, they fielded Jonson, Kiki, Agus and Johannis in order to save some points and replaced their young players, Andre Tiara, Arifin, Teddy Febianto, Yanto Sudiarto and Alfa Romeo.

In the second half, CSP players apparently lost their fighting spirit and let Panasia break through their defense and earn points. CSP point guard Ruli S. Tobing scored 11 points for his team while Panasia small forward Yanto scored 15 points.

Although Pacific players made an effort to hold Aspac back, they failed to outplay the Jakarta-based team who boasted three national players in its line-up: Cokorda Satria Wibawa, Tri Adyana Adi Loka and Riko Hantono.

Separately, basketball fans will decide which five players will perform in the all-stars meet in Yogyakarta on Oct. 9.

The candidates for the meet are point guards AF Rinaldo (Aspac) and Kiki, shooting guards Rommy Tanaka (Aspac) and Pek King Dhay (Pacific Bank Swadesi), small forwards Dwui Eriano (Mahaka SM) and Agus Wahyudi, power forwards Rommy Chandra (IM Texmaco) and Antonius Joko and centers Saut L. Jonson and I Nyoman Suandi Menara (Aspac).

Five others will be picked by their coaches after taking into account the statistical review of their performances in the last three series, said Doedi Gambiro from the Indonesian Basketball Association (Perbasi). (ivy)