SEMARANG - The Korpri Papua basketball team performed mightily in the first match against Central Kalimantan with a final score of 51-23, in the preliminary match of pool A of the Pornas XVI Korpri Central Java Basketball, which was held at Sahabat Sports Center, Semarang, Saturday (15/7/2023).

Despite winning hands down, the Papuan team appeared nervous in the first quarter. The dominance only began to run in the third minute through the action of captain R. Kurniawan, until finally, Papua closed the first quarter with a score of 10-0.

With resistance from the opposing team, the high pressing and fast play of the Papuan team through substitute Dedaida was still able to bring Papua to a 16-5 lead in the second quarter.

The performance of the Papuan team became more ferocious in the third quarter. The action of a three-pointer by playmaker Ferdinand was able to bring the Papuan team to close the score 29-15. Even so, the opposing team remained defeated with a final result of 51-23 in the fourth quarter.

The victory made Korpri Papua Basketball Manager, Jimmy Alberto Thesia not complacent. He has instructed his players to focus on the next match against South Kalimantan.

Nevertheless, he did not hesitate to appoint Dedaida as a man of the match. The player who was born in Papua is considered capable of showing maximum performance to steal the ball from the opponent several times.

"Indeed, we had previously appeared nervous in the first and second quarters. That's because we don't usually play in dirty times, but in the next quarter we find a rhythm so that we play freely and can win games," he said.

The Coach of Korpri Papua Basketball, Jeheskiel Edison Tetjuari ensured that for the preparation in the next match against South Kalimantan, his side remained optimistic that his team could win even though he did not know the opponent's strength map.

"In principle, although we don't know the opponent's weaknesses yet, we have experience against teams from Kalimantan. They always optimize individual skills, similar to the real Papuans, even tactically good. So, we immediately evaluate the match today to face South Kalimantan tomorrow," he explained.

The Daily Executive of the Papua Regional Secretary, Derek Hegemur who participated in watching the inaugural match of the Papuan Basketball team against Central Kalimantan, was also grateful for the inaugural victory.

He hopes that the victory of the Papuan Basketball team can inspire other players who competed today (Saturday, red).

"We are grateful that in this Central Java National Pornas, at the beginning we have shown our commitment, our sports capacity. So we hope that the future target in Pornas XVI we will achieve success, "said the Secretary. ***