Fragkiskos Alvertis was happy to see Panathinaikos running in the fast break against Ikaros Chalkidas even if it was just in the second half of the game and he stated that at the press conference after the encounter.
"We knew that it wasn't going to be an easy afternoon for us. We knew that Ikaros is a good team, that they have athletic players and that they perform well on the floor. Defensively we didn't play well in the first half. In the second part of the game we were focused, we played good in defense, we run in fastbreak scoring easy points, getting all the way to the victory. We have a difficult schedule from now on, starting with the game against Barcelona. I would like to wish all the best to Ikaros. Chalkida is a beautiful city, with a really nice gym and excellent atmosphere inside the arena. Basketball needs this kind of atmosphere in every arena and fans who will support their teams in a... quality way".
Asked whether he already sees the changes he would like on the floor Alvertis replied: "We want to go to higher scores. To play faster. We have worked on some things and we can see part of this work on the floor. But we are as concerned to keep our defensive identity as well".
Mike Bramos was present at the press conference, speaking about the game: "We didn't perform that well in the first half as far as our defense is concerned. In the second half we raised the intensity in our defense and we kept the same pace in offense. These two things helped us to reach yet another victory in a great atmosphere. Now we have to focus on our next game".
Thanassis Yaples (coach, Ikaros) stated: "Congratulation to Panathinaikos. I wish with all my heart to see both Panathinaikos and Olympiacos advancing to Euroleague Play Offs. These two teams are the window of the Greek basketball and it's important to be successful. I am extremely happy by the effort my players put on the floor. We know who we are, our roster and our quality. We tested some things in the first half. In the second half we used mostly young players, not as a favor to them. They try hard during practices and this was the reward. We are looking to three finals in the next period and we need at least two victories in order to achieve something that look like a utopia: To remain in A1 Division. We are trying to get to 9 victories. We probably hold our luck in our own hands. We know the opponents and probably Panelefsiniakos is closer to us. Unless strange things happen. We would like to thank our fans for their support".
Asked about Gkagkaloudis and Woodall, Yaples stated: "Yannis (Gkagkaloudis) is an explosive character. We all get nervous during the game. The decision not to use him after the technical fouls he was "awarded" was mine. There are other players who didn't play in the second half. About Woodall, it was a disciplinary matter, which we cannot accept when the team is called to "play" its existence in A1 Division in five days. A player can get to 200 palms and you can justify him. But the issue now is to save the team from the relegation. In disciplinary matters I am strict. I cannot operate otherwise".
"Will the team acquire new players in the face of -maybe- Glyniadakis", Yaples was asked, only to give the answer: "We need players for our frontline. One of the players is Andreas Glyniadakis. It's a matter on which the administration must make a decision. Strnad went under arthroscopic surgery and he will be out for two weeks. Demertzis is a quality player and he was injured during the game against Panionios, It's not something serious. I believe he will be ready for the game against Ilissiakos".
Vassilis Toliopoulos (player, Ikaros) noted: "It was a great experience for me. I would like to thank my coach who gave me this opportunity. We are looking to four finals in the next games, in order to remain a part of A1 Division and we are going to do anything to achieve this goal".
