By Vangelis Papadimitriou/ info@eurohoops.net
Panathinaikos Athens guard Luca Vildoza looks to step up his game in the upcoming playoff series of his team against Maccabi Tel Aviv that begins Tuesday (23/4).
“To be honest, I’m feeling really well. I feel I’m getting better. I just need some luck. When I go to the court, that’s it. Life can hit you but it’s up to you to come back and fight back. I’m here to fight back and showwhat kind of player I can be. I wish I can show that on the court,” Vildoza told Eurohoops.
Vildoza has struggled in 2023-24 so far, also amid injury issues. He’s averaging 5.6 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 15:32 minutes over 15:32.
Panathinaikos is generally operating with a tight rotation but will need several more options in the playoffs.
“I think as a team we’re playing really good. Papapetrou showed the kind of player he is in the last game (vs. Peristeri) and he can do much more. Juancho has stepped up. I’m feeling really good and this kind of games in the Greek League are really helping me. I get confidence from the entire staff, the team and the fans of course. ”
“Every player can make a step up and we’re going to keep working.”
The last time Panathinaikos made the Final Four was in 2012, facing exactly the same team that will play against now: Maccabi.
During the EuroLeague regular season, Maccabi actually beat Panathinaikos twice, the only team to do that alongside Olympiacos Piraeus.
“We put pressure on ourselves,” said Vildoza. “Because we know we have a really good team and had a really good regular season. This is the playoffs. There are always good teams and Maccabi is really tough for us because of the way they play. They play differently to other teams. We have to adjust our game to theirs and then do our best on the court.