Cup semi Final game against Ashdod will take place on Monday (18:45) at The Arena, Jerusalem. Mekel on the forward: “he’s our anchor and glue”. Coach Bagatskis: “I’ll be happy if we get this title”. Pnini: “I’m sure our experience will help”
Devin Smith will dress up in domestic competition for the first time this season and will be Maccabi’s 7th registered foreign player, leaving room for one more till the end of the season according to the Israeli Basketball Federation’s rules. Quincy Miller, who complained about pain in his knee during Saturday’s practice, went through medical tests and was not cleared to play. He will be re-evaluated later this week.
“I’m excited every time there’s a chance to play for the title”, said Devin Smith. “we won the cup here two years ago, but that’s all forgotten now. I don’t think it’s a problem for me to play twice a week. We were cautious to start the season and that was smart, but I’m practicing every day. I’ll give it everything I’ve got and my experience will help”.
“Devin is our anchor and glue”, said Gal Mekel, who had a great game against Baskonia. “we’re not looking ahead to the potential cup final, only at the Ashdod game. We had a good win on Thursday, so we’re hoping to continue building on that momentum. Losing the big leads just shows us we can’t take our foot off the pedal. We respect Ashdod but are coming to do our thing which is to win”
Coach Bagatskis and the team Captain, Guy Pnini, represented the team in the official Israeli Basketball federation’s press conference.
“We’re not in a great stretch, that’s true, but for us a title is the most important”, said Pnini, “there’s no point explaining the importance to us players, we all know what’s at stake and I’m sure that with our experience, we will know how to complete the job”.
“Past meetings with Ashdod are in the past, but everything can happen in a cup game”, said Coach Bagatskis, “Guy Pnini’s minutes? it’s a tough question. Beginning of the season, Maccabi had 3 teams: one for practice, one for Israeli league and one for the Euroleague. And then after Sonny and Maik left, we had a fourth team. So, we’re trying to find the way, have the same team for Israeli League and Euroleague, play the same guys. It was just a specific situation with Pnini in the last Euroleague game.
“We will try to win the 8th cup in a row. I liked what Quincy Miller told the other players: ‘let’s take this personal’. So, I agree with that mentality and will be very happy personally if we get the 8th cup.”
