By Alex Molina / amolina@eurohoops.net
Pedro Martinez analyzed the victory against San Pablo Burgos (90-79), marked by the accumulation of games, the physical issues of the squad, and the need to share responsibilities due to absences. He also appreciated Edy Tavares’ record and Shulga’s performance, saving a bombshell for the end.
Pedro Martinez focused on the demanding schedule his team is facing to explain the difficulties during the match against San Pablo Burgos. The coach acknowledged that the accumulation of games and the lack of time to prepare for the commitments are taking a toll on his players.
“A game that cannot be explained without the dynamic we are experiencing of many consecutive games, with little preparation. We are having physical problems, and all this makes it very difficult for the players to be at their best every day. The most positive thing is that we managed to get the game ahead without great suffering. We didn’t play brilliantly, but it’s difficult playing so many games in so few days.”
Another issue he addressed was the prominence of Edy Tavares, the top scorer in the history of Liga Endesa.
“Tavares is a great player for how he conditions his rivals and what he gives to his team. He has a mentality of playing with effort. I’m glad, like everyone else. I don’t think there’s anyone who knows Edy who doesn’t rejoice in his individual successes. Another thing is whether I think it’s okay to celebrate an individual success in the middle of a game. On that… I have my opinion. It’s an achievement that’s very difficult to achieve, and it’s hard for someone to reclaim it. He still has a way to go and will set the bar very high,” he stated.
The coach also highlighted the importance of less regular players taking advantage of the opportunities that arise in a context marked by injuries. The absence of Maledon and Campazzo opens the door to new alternatives in the rotation, and Shulga was one of the key names of the match.
“Players have to wait for their moments and be ready when their team needs them. Now we need players who, when we didn’t have Maledon or Campazzo’s injury, didn’t have the chance to get minutes that they will now have. Shulga played really well, and that’s good for the team and good for him,” he explained.
Finally, Pedro Martínez referred to the possibility of incorporating new players into the squad, although he wanted to make it clear that decisions regarding signings are not directly up to him. The coach acknowledged that the club is studying alternatives and pointed to the option of bringing back a player currently on loan at another Liga team, without confirming his arrival, referring without mentioning him to John Eli Ndiaye, currently with Asisa Joventut.
“It’s not something that is my responsibility. There are other people in the club who are aware and working on it. This is not about going to the market and saying ‘where is what we need’ because it’s waiting for us. It doesn’t work like that; it’s not that easy. It is true that we are analyzing what we can do. We have one of our players on loan in the Liga, and I would like to see the possibility of bringing him back. But it’s not something that’s definitely going to happen or within my power. He’s a guy who did the preseason with us; he’s one of ours. We would like to incorporate him. And if not, we are not going to cry. We will try to move forward with the players we have,” he concluded.
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