Jakarta BNI Taplus spoils Bogor Prayoga Unitas party

The Jakarta Post , Bogor | Mon, 03/17/2008 12:07 PM

Jakarta BNI Taplus women's team dented hopes of host team Bogor Prayoga Unitas of a home win as the visitors edged the host 3-2 in the final day of the third Sampoerna Hijau Proliga Indoor Volleyball tournament on Sunday.

Dropping the first two sets 25-16, 25-20, BNI Taplus bounced back to grab the remaining three and take the match thanks to superb a showing from American spiker Sandra Banderin.

BNI Taplus coach Sukirno said his players had overcome a fatigue factor, as well.

"Most of the team members looked tired after the long trip to Bogor in really bad traffic," he told reporters after the match.

"Fortunately, our players managed to use their experience to compensate and win."

In the third set Sukirno fielded veteran player Wasti. She lived up to expectations, leading the team to 25-21.

"Wasti played well ... Dwi Sari, also had a lot of good receives," said Sukirno.

Meanwhile, Prayoga Unitas put the loss down to a lack of focus.

Prayoga Unitas team manager Nana Mulyana also explained that team member Katie Allen, a U.S. national, wasn't ready for the game.

"She had just arrived on Saturday after a tiring 36-hour trip from the U.S. to Indonesia," said Nana.

Nana said the team would improve their teamwork in the next round of the tournament.

As of Sunday, Jakarta Electrik PLN topped the standings, followed by Surabaya Bank Jatim in second place and Jakarta BNI Taplus in the third. Trailing consecutively in fourth and fifth are Gresik Petrokimia and Jakarta Popsivo Polwan. Bogor Prayoga Unitas settles as bottom dweller, in sixth place.

In men's division, Surabaya Samator romped a convincing 3-1 victory over Jakarta BNI Taplus in Sunday's match at Padjajaran sports hall.

The defending champion, led by Joni Sugiyatno, however had to muster out their energy to beat BNI Taplus in a hard-fought 25-23, 27-25, 22-25, 25-20 game. (nkn)

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