By Amy Samin<\/FONT> \u201cJeter\u2019s (1.79 meters, or 5\u201910\u201d) rebound over Fischer (2.11 meters or 6\u201911\u201d) proved that they really wanted it,\u201d said Pini Gershon<\/B> after Maccabi\u2019s 84 \u2013 79 victory over Hapoel. \u201cWe shouldn\u2019t have let them make that run,\u201d added the coach. \u201cI\u2019m happy that we showed character,\u201d said Guy Pnini<\/B>, who went to town against his former teammates with 23 points in the game, including an amazing 17 points in the first half. \u201cWe\u2019ve had a good season in the Israeli league,\u201d concluded Gershon, \u201cand I just hope we\u2019ll keep it up in the remaining month and a half.\u201d Doron Perkins<\/B>, who finished the game with 11 points, 7 assists and 5 rebounds, said, \u201cWe came back from the deficit in the third quarter and won the game. \u201cIt\u2019s typical of Maccabi that they won the game with two three pointers,\u201d said Hapoel player Uri Kokia<\/B>.
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\u201cAll of the teams in the league wanted a win, and needed a win – except for us.
We didn\u2019t need the win, but we don\u2019t know how to lose.
A so-so game for us was enough for the win; the atmosphere here helped us get the win.
The Russian Rule (that two Israeli players per team must be on the court at all times) hurt them more than it hurt us.\u201d<\/FONT>
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\u201cThe players did the right things in the fourth quarter, although they forced me to scream at them.
I was relaxed throughout the game until the last minute.
In a game like this, you don\u2019t need to do more than want to win.
We can play better.
We\u2019re at the beginning of our way (to the championship) and we could have guarded better.\u201d<\/FONT>
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When asked what\u2019s next, he replied, \u201cWe\u2019re looking to the championship.\u201d<\/FONT>
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When asked about Yaniv Green\u2019s entrance and speedy exit from the game after only seconds had passed, Gershon said, \u201cEvery one of the players plays as much as the team needs him to.
When Green went into the game, I didn\u2019t intend to take him out, but that\u2019s what was needed.\u201d<\/FONT>
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We have home court advantage for the championship and I hope we\u2019ll go all the way.\u201d<\/FONT>
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\u201cWe really wanted to win this game, and it was a close one.
We\u2019ve had a hard week, but that\u2019s part of the profession.
We did our best and it wasn\u2019t enough.
If we win next week we\u2019ll be in second place, as long as Netanya doesn\u2019t win.
It doesn\u2019t matter in what position we finish the season, it\u2019s going to be a tough series in the quarter final.\u201d<\/FONT>
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