IBL 2024 Semifinals: Pelita Jaya Takes The First Game At Prawira Headquarters

Pelita Jaya won in the semifinals of the first game at the Prawira Harum Bandung headquarters (Instagram/@pelitajayabasketball).

JAKARTA - Pelita Jaya Jakarta's one foot has entered the 2024 Indonesian Basketball League (IBL) final after winning the first game at Prawira Harum Bandung headquarters, C-Tra Arena, Thursday, July 25, 2024, evening WIB.

Pelita Jaya won after receiving fierce resistance from the host with a score of 84-80 in the semifinals of the first game.

In the final minutes, the actions of Justin Brownlee and Andakara Prastawa Dhyaksa failed to be blocked by Prawira, thus making Pelita Jaya superior until the end of the match.

Pelita Jaya's top score in this match, K. J. McDaniels, packed 24 points. However, there were two players who contributed the most to this victory.

Justin Brownlee scored 22 points, including a three-point shot with one minute remaining to turn things around to 82-78.

Then there was Prastawa with a turn around jump shot in the remaining 18 seconds, which locked Pelita Jaya's victory. Prastawa only scored two points in this match, but that's a very important point.

Meanwhile Jerome Anthony Beane Jr. from the bench added 18 points.

"We run the ball well. Attacking together is the key to our victory. However, this victory is very important for us. We are increasingly confident in winning this series (IBL 2024)," Justin Brownlee said after the match.

The heat of the match can be felt from the start, when both teams drew, 17-17, in the first quarter.

Prawira performed better in the second quarter to score a 41-37 advantage at halftime.

In the third quarter, Pelita Jaya appeared more aggressive so that she could turn things around. Through buzzer beater Anthony Beane, Pelita Jaya won seven points, 61-54, when the third quarter closed.

Continuing to the fourth quarter, there were six changes in the advantages of both teams. Prawira, who was nine points behind at the beginning of the fourth quarter, rose through Yudha Saputera's slick performance with a long-range shot.

In the last three minutes, Pandu Wiguna scored three Slams to keep the hosts' hopes of winning the first game semifinals. However, Brownlee and Prastawa buried the hope in the last seconds.

Meanwhile, Yudha Saputera led Prawira with a score of 20 points. Playing for 35 minutes, Yudha scored 7 shot accuracy from 11 attempts, including six three-points.

Brandone Francis put 19 points. Followed by Antonio Hester with a contribution of 15 points and 11 rebounds. The two teams played equally well in the first meeting. However, Pelita Jaya punished Prawira who was careless in the final minutes.

Pelita Jaya temporarily won 1-0 in the semifinals of the IBL 2024. The second semifinal match will shift to the Indoor Stadium SC, Tangerang, which will be Pelita Jaya's home on Saturday, July 27, 2024.

If a third game is needed, Pelita Jaya will remain the host.