M88 Aspac Jakarta defends Indonesian NBL

M88 Aspac Jakarta retained the Indonesian NBL after defeating Satria Muda Britama Jakarta 83-67 in the final of the competition. The defence of the NBL meant that Aspac won its second title overall, and the euphoria of victory is sweeter as it comes against arch rival Satria Muda. M88 Aspac’s win also points to a new era in Indonesian Basketball as it seems the hold Satria Muda had over the league is truly over.

Muda won six consecutive titles from 2007 to 2012, but Aspac finding success last season and repeating this term has ushered in a new dominant team. A packed crowd inside GOR UNY Yogyakarta saw the two Jakarta rivals compete for the NBL trophy, but in the end M88 Aspac Jakarta had too much and romped to victory.

M88 Aspac Jakarta vs. Satria Muda Britama Jakarta, 83-67
The game opened quickly with the teams eager to pepper the basket with shots. The points tallied up at both ends as the players traded blow for blow through the opening 10 minutes, with 46 points scored for a 23-23 score at the first break. Satria Muda started the second period with better perimeter defence and both teams eased off on attacking play. By halftime a gap in the score had opened and Muda held a 34-40 lead. In the third period the defending champions organized better under both baskets and poured in 29 points while holding their opponents to just 13. M88 Aspac had turned the game around and held a 10 point lead of 63-53 with the fourth quarter left to play. Aspac never looked back in the final frame, opening a 19 point cushion and cruising down the straight to record back to back titles.

Andakara Prastawa Dhyaksa fired M88 Aspac Jakarta to glory with 28 points, while Ebrahim Enguio Lopez scored 16 points.

Faisal Achmad notched 21 points in the losing effort, but was arguably outshone by Surawi with a double-double 15 points and 12 rebounds.