Gershon with the Plate: “This was a crucial championship for the club.”

By Amy Samin

Maccabi Tel Aviv is once again the Israeli basketball Champion.
After exactly one year, the plate-shaped trophy has resumed its place in the cabinet at Nokia Area, after Pini Gershon and his players defeated Maccabi Haifa Heat 85 – 72 in the championship final.

“This championship is very important to the club and to me, personally,” said Pini Gershon immediately after the game.
“I didn’t want to be added to the list of coaches who lost the championship with Maccabi Tel Aviv, and I will do everything I can to make sure that doesn’t happen again.
We’re a quality club, we have the means to win, and we’ll do our best to make sure no one talks about us again like they did this season, because that’s what gives our opponents confidence.
This was my toughest championship; I don’t know how many I’ve won, but this was the hardest.”

Derrick Sharp, who stood with his son in his arms and tears in his eyes, said: “I’m so happy.
What can I say?
I can’t say anything.
The energy is always there, it’s my belief that you’ve got to stay positive.
You don’t have to do anything; you just have to stay positive.”

When asked about his decision to bring Tal Burstein with him to raise the plate, Sharp said: “I brought Tal because he’s my co-captain.
We have two captains, and he deserved to be there.”
When asked how much longer he would continue to play for Maccabi, Sharp answered, “I’ll keep playing for as long as my legs hold out.”

Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv’s chairman of the board, Shimon Mizrahi joked, “We’ve added another plate to our table service.
We’ve been through some difficult weeks and months.
It’s a very sweet championship, and no one is happier than I am.
I also had a difficult season.”

Carlos Arroyo, chosen the game’s MVP, said, “There’s no better feeling after a season with so many ups and downs.
It’s just moving.
We’ve been through so much this season.
I have to give credit to the players; we changed coaches and players yet we stayed a team and stayed focused.
We showed character, and we deserve to celebrate in our locker room.
We respect each other and we love each other.”

Tal Burstein, who contributed great moments to the game, said, “It’s always exciting.
I heard the crowd telling me to stay (with the team) and that really moved me.
I don’t know what will happen; anything is possible.”

Lior Eliyahu said, “I always take a nap before the games, but today I couldn’t sleep.
I have no words to describe how pumped up we were.
The guys are amazing and I’m crazy about all of them.
Tal Burstein is such an amazing player, and has brought so many titles to Maccabi.
He doesn’t deserve what they’ve said about him (in the press).”
When asked about next season, Eliyahu said, “I don’t know where I’ll be next season.
I need a couple of days to relax.”

Raviv Limonad said, “For me this was very special; it’s my first time and it’s amazing.
I’m enjoying the moment.
We’ve been through a tough season, but the ending is sweet and I’m glad everyone is happy.
We’ve brought the championship home.”

Maccabi Haifa Heat head coach Avi Ashkenazi said, “It’s a big disappointment.
There’s a feeling of a lost opportunity and it pinches the heart.
Our free throw percentages were very bad, but I’m looking at the cup as half-full and I’m proud of the team.
I’m still digesting the missed chance right now.
It’s a bigger pinch than Tolbert’s three-pointer (in the final of the Israeli National Cup).”

“I don’t think it was a matter of pressure; we were tired and it was a tough game.
It was a wonderful season for a great group of guys; an absolute experience.”

Haifa Heat owner Jeff Rosen praised his players in spite of the loss, “I’m proud of my team, and I salute my players.
I hope we’ll be back here next season.
I’m with Maccabi Haifa 100%”