Jerian Grant on OAKA support: “One of the most special nights in my life”

By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net

Panathinaikos managed to find their 10th consecutive victory at home in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, improving their home record to 13-2 and demonstrating once again to be the best team in the whole competition in games played in front of their own fans.

Tonight’s 91-81 comeback victory over ALBA Berlin was no different, as the energy by Panathinaikos fans was perceived not only in the stands of OAKA but especially on the court.

Jerian Grant, one of the protagonists of his team’s win with 19 points over a perfect 10/10 at the line, explained it in the post-game flash interviews. “It was special, definitely one of the most special nights in my life, hearing 20.000 people calling my name. It really gave us a lot of energy,” he said.

“When we hear those fans, we really feel like we can’t lose,” Grant added. When asked about how he felt hearing his name so loudly, he was speechless. “It was the first time, and I really can’t explain it; all the emotions going through my mind, It was special to hear all these people chanting my name.”

Ergin Ataman mentioned the defensive-minded guard as one of the most precious reasons why they managed to pull off this victory against the German side coached by Pedro Calles.

“W managed well the last five, six minutes, especially with [Jerian] Grant doing a very good job offensively and defensively. It was a really strange game because we seriously risked to lose the game. In the last five or six minutes, we improved our aggressivity on defense,” he said.

“Offensively it was a terrible day for us to score only four three-pointers out of twenty shots. ALBA Berlin had an incredible offensive performance with 11 three-pointers, it was the first time this season. Before the game, I knew about it: you can’t underestimate any team in the Euroleague, everybody has a good roster and everybody likes to play in this great atmosphere,” Ergin Ataman added.

PHOTO CREDIT: Eurokinissi

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