Panathinaikos Head Coach, Argyris Pedoulakis, focused on the issues the clover faced during the game and mostly the loss of the advantages it mounted to twice.
“We had an issue with Cantu’s pick n rolls and the way we rotated through them. We had said that they were very good in that area. What made us suffer more though were the isolations, in man-to-man situations, where we lost battle after battle. In the second half we improved our defense where Tsartsaris made things much easier competing in center position in a shorter layout. Our offensive weapon was Sofoklis when it was a one point game, seeing that 3 or 4 players came to the call of defending him. We had very bad shooting range but maybe the most important thing for me was that we got twice to an 8 point gap and failed to illustrate the character to finish up the game; most characteristic moment of all being the clutch. In special situations we were not focused enough. I would like to thank the fans, because they stood by us, provided the team with energy in moments where it seemed numb. In that area, a defining role was played by Dimitris Diamantidis who made the correct decisions either getting fouled or by spotting the open teammate.
When asked about Andy Panko and if he should maybe undertake more offensive attempts, Pedoulakis stressed: “He performed quite pleasingly. He could have taken more shots, that is true. He wanted to establish the best choices possible. He was influenced by first half’s game, where we got trouble off Brooks who opted for drive upon drive”.
As far as the loss of the score advantages on two separate occasions, but correct counteraction when Cantu led, Pedoulakis stated: “We said it before, special situations existed. Things we had not said took place. We had said not to opt for the offensive rebound at a certain part in order for everyone to be able to cover their player, but this for example did not happen. You must stay close to your player because it was granted that in the last minutes they would try to pull a three-pointer. Time was enforcing pressure on them. Another thing is that we shouldn’t have committed fouls while we also had bad free throw range. The most important thing is what you do. There we failed to react correctly”.
Mapooro Cantu Head Coach, Adrea Trinchieri, spoke of the fouls, the chance his team had to win, but also about Dimitris Diamantidis, whom he literary characterized as being “impeccable”.
“It is never easy to play at OAKA. We managed nevertheless to stay alive in the game. In the first half we hesitated somewhat. We did not have a complete idea of certain Panathinaikos players; we had only seen them on television. Maybe we showed our opponent a little more respect than we should have. Our best time span was the first five minutes in the fourth quarter where we almost grasp victory; after that though we committed turnovers, performed immaturely. On the contrary, Diamantidis did not err. He spotted the appropriate players in defense, had good shooting range at his chosen attempts. We also had fouling issues. When they are up 39-to-19 in free throws there is no way for you to win. Many key-players got into fouling trouble. Not that I am complaining, protesting but it is hard to play like that. If today’s game showed us something it is that we can actually play. And that we can win in the next game with Panathinaikos at Desio”.
*Panathinaikos will be at the OAKA indoor arena again tomorrow afternoon, since a training session has been scheduled.
