By Alex Molina / info@eurohoops.net
Valencia Basket won one of the toughest EuroLeague games of the season, and Pedro Martínez shared his thoughts in the press conference on how the home team secured the victory.
“The second half was a real grind. We were better defensively, and it was a game where, in the final, close minutes, the players’ character really came through. Today it went our way, and last week it went our way, even though we were the same team. It’s a bit of a balancing act, considering how disappointed we were in Paris… but we weren’t exactly heartbroken.”
Despite the fact that it was a Valencian derby in football today, the Valencia Basket arena once again presented a fantastic atmosphere.
“It’s a source of pride to see the Roig Arena like this“, said the Spanish coach. “When I signed for Valencia Basket, the first thing I said was that they needed to build a project to fill a large arena. To be on a winning streak, to have players that people like, and to keep winning. When we see the arena packed like it is today—always, except for one game when there was nobody there—it’s great for the team and the club. Our fans are behind us, and we have the feeling that they like what they see, regardless of winning or losing. The effort, the mentality, and the values are more important than winning or losing. If we had lost today, the fans would be just as proud.”
Accustomed to winning thanks to an outstanding offense, Valencia Basket reinvented themselves today to achieve victory. “In the end, it’s about adapting. The first quarter, for basketball fans, was surely enjoyable for everyone. But teams change tactics, they adapt, they don’t let you play comfortably… The game goes where it goes, and in the end, we went into a game where every shot was hard-fought. We adapted well, thanks to some strong performances from the players.”