IBL Round 18: NSH edges Bima Perkasa by one point

Michael Glover

Here is the last round review presented by ESL.

Seventh-ranked Bima Perkasa (3-9) made lots of trouble for third ranked NSH (10-3) in Jakarta on Sunday. NSH managed to secure only one-point victory 68-67. However their fans expected much easier game. NSH made 17-of-22 free shots (77.3 percent) during the game. The best player for the winners was American power forward Michael Glover (203-87, college: Iona) who had a double-double by scoring 42 points (!!!) and 16 rebounds. point guard Andre Rorimpandey (177-96) chipped in 12 points. NSH's coach Wahyu Widayat used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. At the other side the best for losing team was Mali-American forward Mamadou Diakite (196-93, college: Immaculata) who recorded a double-double by scoring 15 points and 12 rebounds. NSH moved-up to second place, which they share with Pelita Jaya. Bima Perkasa lost fourth consecutive game. They dropped to the eighth position with nine games lost. They share it with Prawira. NSH will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Bima Perkasa will play on the road against the league's second-placed Pelita Jaya (#2) in Jakarta and is hoping to prove to their fans that they can break losing series.
Important game to mention about took place in Surabaya. Fifth ranked Louvre S. (7-7) saved a 3-point victory on the road edging 6th ranked Pacific Caesar (5-8) 86-83 in the game for the fifth place. It was a good game for American guard Michael Kolawole (196, college: Lamar, agency: Haylett Sports) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 32 points and 10 rebounds. Martavious Irving contributed with 21 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. American-Dominican swingman Luis Jacobo (196-91, college: PFW) replied with 28 points and 7 rebounds for Pacific Caesar. Newly promoted Louvre S. maintains fifth position with 7-7 record. Pacific Caesar at the other side keeps the sixth place with eight games lost. Louvre S. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Pacific Caesar will play on the road against the league's leader Indonesia P. (#1) in Jakarta and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Another interesting game was a derby match between two local teams from Jakarta: Satria Muda (#4) and Pelita Jaya (#2). Pelita Jaya was smashed at home by 20 points 68-88 and even the fact of playing on their own court did not help. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Pelita Jaya. The game was dominated by American players. Gary Jacobs scored 19 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists to lead the charge for the winners. The best for the losing side was Dior Lowhorn with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 13 rebounds. Pelita Jaya's coach Octaviarro Tamtelahitu rotated ten players seeing no chance for a win. Satria Muda (9-4) have an impressive five-game winning streak. They maintain fourth position. Loser Pelita Jaya keeps the second place with three games lost. They share the position with NSH. Satria Muda will meet bottom-ranked Satya Wacana (#10) in the next round where they are favorite. Pelita Jaya will play against Bima Perkasa (#8) and hope to secure a win.

In the last game of round 18 Prawira was defeated by Hang Tuah in Pandang 83-79.