IBL Round 15 of Regular Season

Lester Prosper

Here is the last round review presented by ESL.

The biggest surprise of round 15 in IBL was guest Indonesia P.'s (9-2) easy road victory over second-best NSH (8-3) 81-60 on Sunday evening. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of NSH. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Indonesia P. looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists comparing to just 10 passes made by NSH's players. The best player for the winners was British V.Islands center Lester Prosper (210-88, college: Old Westbury) who had a double-double by scoring 17 points and 13 rebounds. The former international Abraham Grahita (201-95) chipped in 25 points and 4 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was American power forward Michael Glover (203-87, college: Iona) who recorded 24 points and 7 rebounds. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Indonesia P. have a solid series of four victories in a row. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Pelita Jaya. NSH at the other side dropped to the third place with three games lost. Indonesia P. is looking forward to face Satya Wacana (#9) in Salatiga in the next round and are hoping to win another game. NSH will play on the road against Pacific Caesar (#6) in Surabaya and is hoping to win this game.
Bottom-ranked Hang Tuah managed to get a third victory. This time they outleveled sixth-ranked Pacific Caesar in Surabaya 93-66. It's especially surprising that the victory came too easily and 27-point difference suggests that Hang Tuah is in a good shape to leave the bottom place. It was a good game for American LaQuavius Cotton (198-92, college: Delta St.) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 27 points and 12 rebounds. Emilio Parks contributed with 16 points and 14 rebounds for the winners. American-Filipino guard Taylor Statham (198-92, college: CS San Bernar.) answered with 30 points and 7 rebounds for Pacific Caesar. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Hang Tuah (3-9) moved-up to eighth place. Pacific Caesar lost third consecutive game. They keep the sixth position with six games lost. Hang Tuah will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Pacific Caesar will play at home against NSH (#3) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Leader Pelita Jaya delivered the ninth victory on Sunday night. This time they beat 5th ranked Louvre S. (6-5) 80-76 in Jakarta. It was a great evening for Dior Lowhorn who led his team to a victory scoring 31 points and 8 rebounds. Pelita Jaya's coach Octaviarro Tamtelahitu used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. The best for the losing side was Michael Kolawole with 32 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals. Pelita Jaya maintains first place with 9-2 record, which they share with Indonesia P. Newly promoted Louvre S. keeps the fifth position with five games lost. Pelita Jaya will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Louvre S. will play against Prawira (#10) in Bandung and hope to secure a win.

In the last game of round 15 Satria Muda crushed Prawira in Jakarta 73-53.