JABAR EKSPRES – Bali United Basketball Club came through a crucial match at the C-Tara Arena in Bandung on Thursday to keep their hopes of making the IBL playoffs alive after a 79-67 win over RANS PIK Basketball.
“We know our team is good, although RANS also played hard. They gave a tight fight. We just have to play what we should play,” Bali United player Julius Bowie said after the match as broadcast by the IBL.
Bali United displayed outstanding defence to lock down the movement of RANS. However, Bali United was only able to excel far enough in the last five minutes of the second quarter to lead 44-36 at halftime.
Both teams were involved in buying and selling attacks in the first quarter. It was quite fierce, but in the end Bali United took the lead 21-19. Entering the second quarter, Bali United found momentum.
Bowie scored 23 points, seven rebounds, four assists, four steals and one block. Dior Lowhorn scored 17 points and nine rebounds and Ponsianus “Komink” Nyoman Indrawan added 11 points.
From the RANS team, Fatur Dzikri Shihab scored 15 points, followed by Oki Wira Sanjaya 13 points, and Akeem Ellis 12 points.
Game-wise, RANS had no answer for Julius Bowie. Many players tried to stop his movement, but could not reduce Bowie’s productivity.
He scored seven points in the first half and added 16 points in the second half. Bowie was the difference in this match.
Bali United today successfully caught up with the Tangerang Hawks Basketball Club. Both teams have 11 wins. Today’s success further buried the dreams of RJ Amartha Hangtuah Jakarta.
However, as the schedule has been determined, the three teams that are fighting for a place into the playoffs still have the same chance. It depends on how they maximise each match in the rest of the season.
