Bologna –
At the end of the game against Asvel, valid for Round 22 of Turkish Airlines Euroleague, these were the words of coach Luca Banchi: “We are very happy with this victory and the way we got it, responding as a team with great spirit to adversity and how we did not allow external factors to influence our conviction, it is another step to become aware of our strength as a team. We played an important fourth quarter, combining the mentality, the aggressiveness, but also the quality of our choices and the personality we showed to take those responsibilities at the crucial moment of the game.”
On the importance of the Pajola-Hackett set-up: “They were good at giving our offense effectiveness. However, we pushed Asvel to play 30 minutes of very high quality, their defense objectively obscured our basket causing many turnovers, interceptions and turnovers that somehow took away confidence and rhythm from our game. The number of free throws testifies to the difficulties we had and an objectively unfair refereeing meter for a good part of the game. We were firm and decisive, Pajola and Hackett very good in the last 10 minutes when the intensity of their defense dropped a bit to attack the iron. This defensive attitude is in their DNA, but I think they did important things on offense too, to give balance to anonymous quintets.”
About Hackett: “I’ve gotten to know him over time, he gives evidence of being a special player. I’ve always called him a gamer, I’ve enjoyed having him on my teams because he has this instinct to constantly look for ways to help the team, with the feeling that he always puts the common good first. He has characteristics that allow him, whether in the offensive or defensive half of the field, to be able to impact and drag. Tonight was a testament to that; over the years he has acquired more and more balance and continuity, which at these levels is crucial.”
Aboit Polonara: “His growth is important for him and for us. The signs have started to be seen for a while now, we have been talking about it, we lack the time to be able to train and have his condition and that of other teammates get up. His body is responding and we also saw in terms of vitality and energy what he brought to us tonight. He brought us to play at a level where we were finally able, in the last 10 minutes, to compete with their athleticism. On the floor we worked better than they did, but we had lacked that extra dimension that Achilles was great at bringing us on rebounds and second chances. He did really well, and I’m happy for him and for us.”
