Scafati –
Coach Scariolo’s words in the press conference at the end of the game: “An important victory because at this time of the season all teams multiply their energy, activity and motivation, everyone has a goal and Givova played a game of great character and pride, they never gave up and managed to get to the end in the game. Partly on their merits, partly also on some of our demerits. Two aspects above all, one the defense on the perimeter of our outsides that resulted in very easy penetrations to the iron with the need for our longs to break away from their direct opponents to help, allowing the offensive rebounds that in the second half were a cross for our defense, and two the lost balls, especially in the final part against the pressure, due to some distraction and some moments of lack of discipline in executing our attack to the press. Let’s say that up to there, I think the team has made, after a somewhat doubtful start, a good game with good offensive solutions, with moments of good defense as well, certainly we have clear ideas about the improvement we will make in perimeter defense when we incorporate our best defenders on the perimeter and in rebounding, when we incorporate the player we are looking for. But I clearly expect steps forward, though, both from those that are in today and those that are out (5 in tonight’s game) to prepare us to keep this first place, although it is not a final judgment for the playoffs, obviously it is a goal that we are chasing and we would like to achieve. And then to be ready when the playoffs start to be already in the quarters in a good, if not perfect that will not be so, moment of form.”
The challenge in the second quarter? “The player assured me that the ball was ours, so you have to trust.
Season plagued by injuries, regrets about Euroleague? “If we hadn’t had the final part that was impossible to hold, we could have done more. I have no regrets about the beginning of the competition, because it was clearly seen in many respects the inexperience with which we faced it, the initial part already there with major absences, without Teodosic and Shengelia, then the middle part very well, constantly staying in that part of the games in the top eight of the playoffs, then at a certain moment from one, two absentees became four, five and we couldn’t take it anymore. It was a very good experience though, we won great games against great opponents. We didn’t have from the start, let’s say, the label of being one of the best eight teams, we tried until 2,3 days from the end, we were with mathematical chances to hook the eighth place and we hope to try again next season.”
