Panathinaikos coach, Argyris Pedoulakis spoke so much of the game versus Panelefsiniakos as of Marcus Banks.
“During the first half we were lacking concentration. We attempted to win through offense, get into the game in that sense and it was a huge mistake. We made mostly personal moves, while in defense we failed to be focused. It is something that might cost you if you are not careful. During thethird quarter we had heaps of energy, opted to mess up Panelefsiniakos’ game, intercept its passes and that was the defining element to judge the game. We have a very important game up next and we must focus upon that. In tougher games, such as our Euroleague ones, rotation is reduced and exhaustion is greater. The guys have every intention to help one another out and from my point of view they present their selves more concentrated in Europe. This is actually something that proves how important concentration is in sports and especially in basketball in which to its greatest extent it is a matter of mind. As far as Marcus Banks, from the next game forward he will also be included in the Greek League, since Hilton Armstrong has agreed to his substitution”.
George Skarafigas, coach of Panelefsiniakos congratulated Panathinaikos only to add: “We had many issues during the last week. Not that we would have been able to beat Panathinaikos had not there been these issues but we are a team that works and tries to improve through practice. We are in dire need of a good performance because we have tough clashes ahead which for us will be of a very important nature. We posed as an issue during the first half but the third quarter was catastrophic for us. Certainly a game across from Panathinaikos is no criteria for us”. As far as the presence of children from the Panathinaikos and the Panelefsiniakos basketball academies but also the team’s return to its own home-court he stressed: “It is a blessing to see the kinds in the courts. Panathinaikos and Panelefsiniakos have academy level collaboration, performing quite a few friendly games and I believe that it is something quite special. As far as the court, an effort is being made and we hope that at the beginning of the second round we will be ready to return to our home court”.
Charis Giannopoulos stressed: “Congratulations to Panelefsiniakos for its overall effort. We were not very concentrated to begin. We established our pace gradually through defense and in the third quarter we stepped out on the court more aggressively and a great distance was formed. On the positive side for us was the fact that we found our groove in a second game in a row and we must try even harder next bearing in mind that great defense is what sets the tone in our offense also and aids us in getting to easy baskets”.
George Tsiakos stated: “We had our work cut out for us today. We worked as hard as possible in order to be as concentrated as possible and give this encounter our very best. We fought during the first half but in the second, Panathinaikos was more focused, got an edge during the third quarter and we found ourselves chasing and trailing in the score. It was very difficult for the team to be able to stay alive in the game. I believe we gained something from this clash, something though which we must convey in our following encounters which are mighty important for us”.
