Adewunmi's Disqualification Mars Hangtuah's IBL Victory
Hangtuah Jakarta's win against Kesatria Bengawan Solo was overshadowed by Samuel Adewunmi's three-game suspension for a disqualifying foul during their IBL 2025 match.
Jakarta, February 8, 2025 - Hangtuah Jakarta's hard-fought 73-70 victory over Kesatria Bengawan Solo in the Indonesian Basketball League (IBL) 2025 fifth week was marred by a significant development. Samuel Adewunmi, the team's guard, received a three-game suspension following a disqualifying foul during the match held at Sritex Arena, Solo on Saturday.
According to the official IBL website, the 26-year-old American guard will be sidelined for three upcoming Hangtuah games. This means Adewunmi, standing at 1.94 meters, will miss all of Hangtuah's February fixtures.
The game between Kesatria and Hangtuah was officiated by Crew Chief Rendra Lesmana, assisted by Ali Romadani and Prima Rizki. Achmad Nuryadi served as the assessor, and Purwanto oversaw the match.
The Disqualifying Foul
The incident leading to Adewunmi's disqualification occurred in the second quarter, with 8 minutes and 27 seconds remaining. It began when Abraham Wenas committed a foul, turning his back to impede Adewunmi's movement, causing both players to fall. During the fall, Adewunmi swung his arm towards Wenas' upper body. The referee initially called an unsportsmanlike foul (criteria C1) against Adewunmi.
Kesatria Bengawan Solo's head coach, Efri Meldi, immediately challenged the call, suggesting a possible act of violence. The referees reviewed the play using Instant Replay System (IRS). After reviewing the incident, the Crew Chief and Umpire 1 agreed that Adewunmi's action constituted violence – specifically, striking Wenas with a swinging arm. The initial unsportsmanlike foul was upgraded to a disqualifying foul, and two free throws were awarded to Wenas.
Samuel Devin substituted for Wenas at the free throw line, as Wenas required medical attention. In addition to the three-game suspension, Adewunmi was fined Rp20 million, in accordance with IBL Regulation V, Article 3, Paragraph 1.6.
Impact on Hangtuah
Adewunmi's absence will significantly impact Hangtuah's upcoming games. They are scheduled to play Satya Wacana Salatiga on Sunday (February 9th), Pelita Jaya Jakarta on Wednesday (February 12th), and Rajawali Medan on Friday (February 14th). Currently, Hangtuah holds second place in the standings with 12 points from seven games, boasting a 5-2 win-loss record.
Hangtuah's victory, while celebrated, is now undeniably overshadowed by the controversy surrounding Adewunmi's actions and subsequent suspension. The incident highlights the strict enforcement of rules and the importance of maintaining sportsmanship within the IBL.
The team and its fans will undoubtedly feel the absence of Adewunmi's contributions on the court. His suspension serves as a reminder of the consequences of actions that violate the league's rules and regulations. The coming weeks will be crucial for Hangtuah as they navigate the challenges of playing without one of their key players.