By Cesare Milanti/ info@eurohoops.net
MALAGA, Spain – In the challenging task of commenting on a losing effort in such a crucial game, Hapoel Bank Yahav head coach Aleksandar Dzikic was joined by Levi Randolph in the postgame press conference following the loss to Telekom Baskets Bonn Sunday.
“One game does not define our season,” Randolph echoed the Jerusalem play-caller, “We played hard and came up short.”
“Congrats to our opponent. In the end, they have the coach of the year, they have the MVP, so I guess all those votes were right. They were better tonight,” Dzikic referred to Tuomas Iisalo and T.J. Shorts II highlighting the Awards Ceremony held in Malaga on Saturday, “I am not satisfied with myself and this game.”
The former Alabama standout ended up with a team-high 27 points in the losing effort to complete the Final Four in Palacio de Deportes Jose Maria Martin Carpena and the 2022-23 edition of the Champions League.
“It was a tough one for us today. We knew they were a good team. They got a lot of good pieces. We had a rough first half. Defensively, that’s where we hang our hats, but they were better today,” Randolph summed up the final, “I am proud of my guys and the coaching staff, appreciate everybody.”
Postgame press conference
After the conclusion of the continental campaign, the team located in Jerusalem will switch to the Playoffs of Israel’s Winner League. As the second seed, the Quarterfinals opponent is seventh-seeded Bnei Ofek Dist Herzeliya.
Photo Credit: Basketball Champions League