Antic: “We do not like each other but I respect them”

2017-04-21T19:35:55+00:00 2017-04-21T19:35:55+00:00.

Aris Barkas

21/Apr/17 19:35

Eurohoops.net

Pero Antic is not a stranger to big games against Panathinaikos. After all he was a member of cross-town rival Olympiacos and that’s why he was ready for a fight at OAKA.

By John Rammas/ irammas@eurohoops.net

And that’s exactly what happened last night and as Antic explained to Eurohoops, that’s what the playoffs are all about: “We came to fight in a gym where the fans are really helping the hosts. I respect them. I know we do not like each other, but I respect them. Panathinaikos is a big team. We performed according to our plan, we got a big game by Bogdan Bogdanovic, we won Game 2. We just have to continue”.

Despite not having the home advantage, Fenerbahce is now one win away from the Final Four and Antic will not rest until he gets the job done: “That’s the playoffs. This is the joy of the game. But these victories will not mean anything unless we continue to fight. Now we will play them at our gym and we have to give to our fans the gift of qualification. Everything is possible. We will play as if the score is 0-0. Panathinaikos is a big team, but we will see … We have fighting spirit, we have coach Zeliko (Obradovic), who does not let us relax for a second …”.

And while he is focused in Euroleague, Antic also keeps an eye on the Hawks and the playoffs: “I watch them. We are talking about them with coach Obradovic and I also talk with coach Spahia. I know they are down 0-2 but I believe in them. I wish they qualify, after getting their home wins”. But that’s about it. When Pero was asked to give a prediction about the NBA playoffs, he denied: “We have our own playoffs now”.

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