This is what the protagonists had to say after the Playoffs Game 3 showdown between Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv and Real Madrid.
Post-game quotes: Maccabi vs. Real
Pablo Laso, Real Madrid head coach:
“First I want to congratulate my players. I think they did a great job in this series, from the first minute until we finished it. I want to give a lot of credit to Maccabi. They keep fighting until the end and that gives a lot of credit to a team that probably its worst moment was in the second quarter in Madrid when we got that advantage. That talks very good about my players, the way they focused on the first game, the second and the third. Going into tonight, I think it was a very solid performance from our part. We read the game very well, in offense we moved the ball well, we looked for mismatches. We had some stupid turnovers that hurt us because we knew that are they very good when they are able to rebound and run, so we tried to shut them down in those situations, but still it is not easy. But I think it was a great offensive performance.
"I think defense was the key in the series. I think we were able to shut down Wilbekin and Nunnally, probably their most important players. We knew they are very dangerous. Wilbekin started hot, had 22 points, and Nunnally got 17, but still we were able to do a great job. Rebounding was very important for us. It’s something we controlled probably the whole series and I think today was a key factor too to control the rhythm of the game. I’m very happy to get to the Final Four, knowing that we still got work to do, for sure."
Avi Even, Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv head coach:
“I feel sad and proud. I really wanted to take this game. I feel that we left everything on the floor, but unfortunately, we played against a very good team, and we didn’t really manage to win. We look forward to the local Israeli League and taking the title. When you play in front of these amazing fans, one of the things you want to achieve is the momentum and unfortunately each time we were one step before taking the momentum, I wouldn’t say taking the lead, but getting to a position in which we could do it, they had some crazy shots, or open shots. The momentum is crucial and they have great players with big experience, they had good shots, good decisions, combined with crazy shots. But it is what it is.”
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Sergio Llull, Real Madrid guard:
“We are really happy to reach one of our goals at the beginning of the season. The atmosphere was just crazy, it’s amazing to play basketball in this arena. I think we did a great job on offense and on defense. Everybody was really concentrated so we are really happy.”
Guerschon Yabusele, Real Madrid forward:
“We took them seriously, from the beginning. We know what they bring on the court, so we just needed to stay together, work together. That was really the key, and you know, going on the court and fighting, and making the least mistakes. It was really important for us to take these three games. Now we got to rest and get ready for what is coming next.”
Angelo Caloiaro, Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv forward:
“They are a very talented offensive team, they played together, they played with a lot of rhythm. Every time we seemed to make some kind of mistakes on defense, miscommunication or aggressiveness, they capitalized. We had some unfortunate fifty-fifty balls in the first half, some balls went down for them beating the shot-clock, but you know, 18 assists from them in the first half are too many.”
John DiBartolomeo, Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv guard:
“I think it’s a sort of pride we feel after all we did, the position we were in and to get up to fifth place. I think it’s a lot about the character this team has. It’s something we have to ne very proud of.”