Panathinaikos had no issue in getting what it was after in the clash versus Kolossos Rhodes at the OAKA arena, downing it 93-77 in Basket League OPAP game 25.
After the first few recognizing moments (4-7, 2’30’’), Panathinaikos gained game reins (12-7, 4’) which it maintained all down the stretch up to the very end of the encounter. The Greens performed with quite a feisty appetite, fought battles, even when the gap was in large figures and seemed to be determined to take the game seriously; all this while Argyris Pedoulakis shared game time leaving players who had little participation in the last two weeks’ matchups in action also getting to rest others.
Panathinaikos led 27-20 (12’40’’), Kolossos picked up the trail (29-27, 15’25’’) only for the clover to get up by 13 (41-28, 18’20’’). The gap was expanded even further in a game were offense had first say in matters and in which Sofoklis Schortsanitis stole the show, tallying 21 points and 7 rebounds all the way down to the end of the encounter. Jonas Maciulis followed his teammate chipping in 16 points, while Dimitris Diamantidis apart from 11 points scored also dished 10 perfect passes; all this alongside all players’ efforts to lead to an 18 point lead (64-46, 26’20’’) and then some to a +19 edge (82-63, 35’), prior to game buzzer, final score 93-77.
Referees: Diamantidis, Nikoloulis, Epitropakis
Quarters: 23-15, 43-35, 68-56, 93-77
Panathinaikos (Pedoulakis): Schortsanitis 21 (7rb), Bramos 12, Maciulis 16, Ukic 9, Lasme, Tsartsaris 9, Diamantidis 11 (10as, 3st, 2bs), Gist 11 (6rb), Banks, Xanthopoulos, Giannopoulos 2, Skordilis 2
Kolossos R. (Frangias): Georgalis, Koubouras 14, Hatten 7, Kalaitzis 4, Vougioukas 2, Kalabokis 11, Koukoulas 4, Matsamas, Nadjfeji 5, Langford 6, Kapelan 7, Osby 17
Pedoulakis: Brains, the main thing
Argyris Pedoulakis spoke of the importance of brains in Panathinaikos’ effort in order to achieve its remaining target, while he began his statements thanking Kolossos Rhodes coach, Vassilis Frangias, for all he stated about him and the team, as far as its European stride.
“I would like to congratulate Argyris and Panathinaikos, because in the series versus Barcelona, the team committed impressive performances and details deprived it from getting to London”, stressed Frangias, only to add: “It is something which in no way diminished Panathinaikos’ effort, team which presented a significant improvement. Congratulations to coach and his peers, because they presented a high level basketball. It is justification for a coach who has spent so many years on the courts. As far as the game, he added: “We had two games as a goal prior to the clash versus Panathinaikos, we got the wins we were aiming towards and we proceeded. Across from Panathinaikos, especially in Athens, you can’t expect much. We aspired towards giving game time to the guys, waiting to see when we will face Aris and for the administration to decide what it will do in view of the next season. No comments can be made about the game. We got some good plays; we were not aiming to destroy the game”.
Panathinaikos head coach, Argyris Pedoulakis, stated: “We thank Vassilis for his kind words… Panathinaikos made its effort in a reconstruction season. Very few teams pull it off. Panathinaikos despite the substitutions it committed; remained competitive and it is something that pleases us and gives us the courage to keep on going”.
Pedoulakis added, in reference to the game: “We tried to allow the guys to enjoy the game a little, after all the pressure which existed; to play more freely. We had team spirit, something obvious from assists and rebounds tallied. We were not focused much in backcourt but we did not push the guys on purpose”.
All to follow weighs on the Panathinaikos coach, who when answering a question about if he worries that the games to follow are not so tough, but also the fact that they are called upon to achieve a new goal after being disqualified from Euroleague, stated: “The Greek players know the situation well and how to administer it. The Greek league has tactics and brains, we have stated it before. Foreign players will have to comprehend, we must get them in this logic, we must get them understanding how important it is for the club to go all the way. The most significant thing at the moment is mindset. This season has been a Marathon for everyone. We must get in good form, administer the situation and explain to our foreign players who lack the experience what must be done, in order for us to re-establish our pace all together”.
Haris Giannopoulos stated: “It was a game in which we aspired to enforce our pace, to run as much as possible, to get out aggressively in the game and not let a single play escape us. We dominated in rebounds, enforced pressure in backcourt. It has been two rough weeks for the team, with great exhaustion. All the guys left heaps of energy in the court. We had to all try, in order to rest the others and give them a few breathers”.
Fanis Koubouras stressed: “It was certainly a tough game for us. The previous games were “do or die” and we had to win. We decompressed, we relaxed and got to enjoy the game. We want to enjoy the remaining games; we aspired towards getting to show time plays, to be competitive. I hope we offered Panathinaikos a good practice session after the tough series versus Barcelona”.
