Top clubs struggle to get semis berth
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)