Dibuat oleh Admin. Pada 09 July 2024 - 13:25
Satria Muda Pertamina continues to show its teeth in the continuation of the Indonesian basketball league this season, after successfully defeating Dewa United (DU) and Pelita Jaya (PJ) last week. SM Pertamina, which had to undergo a tough schedule in a back to back scheme, actually managed to emerge as the winner.
First, SM Pertamina succeeded in revancing DU at their home ground with a score of 90-75. SM excelled through the actions of Reynaldo Garcia, Dame, and Elgin Cook. Playing with full collectiveness meant that SM Pertamina managed to collect 27 points from the fast break, while DU could only respond with 9 points.
In fact, that night also became a stage for SM rookie player, Armando Kaize. This player from Papua managed to score his first two points as a Young Knight. "Thank God, that's what was in my mind, that's why my expression was so loose when I found out the ball went in. "Because to be honest, I have been waiting for this moment for a long time, and hopefully I can score points and help SM win again in other matches," said Armando.
After that match, SM Pertamina immediately returned to competition the next day for their final match in the regular round against Pelita Jaya. However, they have more energy because they can finally play at their real home, namely the Britama Arena.
The tight match is proof that these two teams from Jakarta are two serious candidates to emerge as champions this season. Points are exchanged, and the display of neat defense patterns becomes the main dish. In fact, the lead between the two teams was never more than seven points. PJ, who was able to take the lead in the last 16 seconds through KJ McDaniels, was in fact unable to win because Reynaldo Zamora's final action met the ring and made SM Pertamina win with a score of 73-72.
This victory also emphasized the dominance of Arki et al over PJ with an aggregate of 2-0.
"Yes, thank God, we were able to finish well at the end of this competition. I really give credit to the kids, even though we know this game will no longer determine our position, but we want to get good momentum before the playoffs," said SM head coach Youbel Sondakh. after the match.
Apart from that, Youbel also gave special praise to one of his mainstay players, namely Reynaldo, for being able to carry out his duties well as executor 16 seconds before the game finished.
“It's amazing, he even told me not to look at the ring too much but just throw. But as we know, with determination and energy, the ball finally went in and made us win. The others also played very well during the game because we know that back to back it is always not easy for us but I always believe in them that they can, they have the capacity to win. "And it was proven that today we can excel," he concluded.
Next, SM Pertamina will fight in a do or die match on 11-15 July, waiting for the opponent to be Prawira or KB Solo. (FR)
