Underdogs Dwidasa stuns Panasia

Underdogs Dwidasa stuns Panasia

JAKARTA (JP): Thirty-two-year old Bintoro scored 28 points for
his club Dwidasa Mitra of Jakarta shocking Panasia Indosyntec of
Bandung 72-67 in the fifth day of the third leg of 2001 Nuvo
Kobatama national basketball league on Monday.

However, Dwidasa is still facing relegation for finishing
bottom in the 10-team event. The second match saw newly promoted
Angsapura Sania of Medan, North Sumatra, crush Bima Sakti Nikko
Steel of Malang, East Java, 69-62.

Panasia remains in third position and should win three more
games to secure a ticket to the final four. Defending champion
Aspac Texmaco of Jakarta still tops the standing followed by
Bhinneka Sritex of Surakarta, which outclassed home team
Indonesia Muda (IM) 70-63 later on Sunday.

The 1999 champion, Satria Muda, is fourth and was still
playing its third game against Bali Jeff Citra Satria Pelita
(CSP) as of going to press.

Panasia took an early lead 19-13 by the end of the first
quarter. In the second quarter, Bintoro managed to score 10
points to narrow the gap 32-28.

Bintoro proved his worth by boosting the team with nine points
in the third quarter to take over 51-50. Former IM player Patrick
A. Gosal contributed six points after he successfully scored
three-pointers twice.

Both teams trailed neck-to-neck in the last quarter. Panasia's
Johannis Winar's throw helped the team lead 55-52 but 26 seconds
later Bintoro cut it back to 55-54.

The game become more tense when Dwidasa earned more points to
lead 59-57 in the remaining four minutes.

Substitute Benny Santoso successfully executed a free throw to
bring Dwidasa to lead 60-59 but Panasia led again after Kiki
Susilo's throw made it 61-60.

After several rebounds, Dwidasa led Panasia 66-64 less than
one minute before the final buzzer.

At the critical moment, Johannis failed to produce a three-
pointer and the team made some fouls. Dwidasa benefited from this
occasion and Patrick fulfilled his job very well to earn four
points from free throws.

In the last eight seconds, Johannis increased two points from
Panasia but failed to repeat it in the last second. The team was
fouled and Benny calmly threw the basket to end the game 72-67.

Dwidasa manager Indrawan Waskito said he was surprised with
the result.

"We earlier aimed to win each game if we could. But after two
series, we only aimed at winning two or three games to avoid
relegation," he said.

Dwidasa lost to Bhinneka in the opening match last Thursday
but bounced back to beat Wismilak Cahaya Lestari Surabaya on
Saturday and Panasia.

Panasia coach Herru Juharso admitted his players were under
form, "In a very tight game, Panasia players might easily lose
their concentration and control over the game. I think they have
a mental burden because the team is the favorite." (ivy)