Panathinaikos closed its regular season obligations at a road game, downing Kolossos Rhodes 80-60. This victory at the indoor “Venetoklio” stadium not only presented it with two valuable points but it also awarded the clover with a first time record, as for the first time in it history it concluded the League’s regular season behind a single defeat (25-1). It had been beaten for the last time on November 29, 2009. And this having committed a great second half.
Panathinaikos’s image in the first 20 minutes game time certainly was not the aspired one for coach Obradovic. Kolossos’s intensely aggressive defense, zone defenses, brought about trouble in ball circulation, the greens unable to pick up the pace. A key factor plus great misfortune to the basket in order for them to be able to arise as the master of the clash on the floor, as they were not even able to make use of all the offensive boards they got to time and again on court (12 in total for 1st half).
The clover mounted a 6 point edge (2-8, 5’10’’), but thing on the floor rapidly shifted in favor of the home-team as Kolossos managed to lead (12-11, 9’20’’). It was a scenario repeated also in the second quarter when Panathinaikos got to break away by 4 (14-18, 11’) but yet again its host reacted supremely getting up even by 6 (26-20, 15’). This meek difference evaporated into thin air as at the break the greens were in the lead once more (35-36).
Panathinaikos had already proceeded on to a run, which continued as the game recommenced positioning itself once and for all in the matchup’s driver’s seat. A 13-0 streak (from 35-33 at 19’30’’ all the way up to 35-48 at 23’) was what brought the game to an abrupt end prematurely as in views of the winner’s identity. A partial 25-7 for the guests in third quarter led to 42-61. The pace had been established, Panathinaikos start to get ample range, presented great feistiness in backcourt thus victory leaned in towards its side of the court. It mounted +21 (62-63, 30’15’’), final score 60-80 presenting it with the win.
Referees: Mouzakis – Anastopoulos - Somos
Quarters: 12-15, 35-36, 42-61, 60-80
Kolossos R. (Sferopoulos): Harris 4, Panteliadis 3, Avgenikos, Danas, Zaras 8, Manolopoulos 13, Asimakopoulos 5, Dozier 7, Pappas 10, Tsamis 4, Livisianos, Monds 6
Panathinaikos (Obradovic): Tepic 4, Spanoulis 9 (3as), Perperoglou 9, Batiste 7, Fotsis 12, Nicholas 5, Tsartsaris 2, Diamantidis 2, Pekovic 17 (9rbs), Calathes 6 (4as), Shermadini, Jasikevicius 7
Panathinaikos is up against Panionios for play-offs phase one. First encounter is scheduled to take place on Saturday Saturday May 1st at the indoor stadium of OAKA, second game on Monday (3/5) at the indoor stadium of Nea Smirni and if a third game is necessary it will take place on Thursday (6/5) again at the OAKA arena.
Press Conference
Zeljko Obradovic stated at the press conference after the encounter: “Congratulations to my players for their entire season. We performed a very bad first half, were not at all focused and this shows from all the missed free-throws we had. In the second half we were much better in both offense and defense. We had an improved pace, went for the fast break, got to easy buckets. Congratulations to the crowd for the amazing atmosphere, to the fans of both the teams. It is a great thing to play in Rhodes. We must remain focused to be able to play this good and even better throughout the play-offs”.
Obradovic was questioned about Dusan Sakota’s current situation, player who after an injury suffered in a game of the Italian League with Skavolini underwent a second surgical procedure and is at the moment in a drug educed comma in the hospital: “I am aware of the issue and I am being updated constantly. We all hope and expect only the best for Dusan. Maybe it is a prime time opportunity for the officials to re-examine the whole unsportsmanlike fouls issue and take action immediately. Or even take on the aid of the video. Such a striking should not be left unpunished”.
Yannis Sferopoulos stressed: “Panathinaikos is fairly the winner of the encounter. In the second half it was much better than us. Especially in the third quarter were it mounted the advantage in the score. We committed many turnovers. It is more than honorable for us to finish up at sixth place. We hope to keep up the pace and aim for a victory at our home-court against Maroussi. And from that point forward the best possible…”.
Dimitris Diamantidis underlined: “It was the last game of the regular season and we wanted to win. In the first half we were not good. In the second half we played much better. From now on we want to present ourselves as best as possible. We are aiming to conquer the championship and we will do whatever it takes to nail it. Panathinaikos and Olympiakos are the favorites but what we want is to prove at our home-court that we are the best”.
Sotiris Manolopoulos added: “We knew it would be a hard and tough game, playing across from Panathinaikos. Congratulations for its victory. We want to continue with positive results in the first phase of the play-offs”.
