By Lefteris Moutis / moutis@eurohoops.net
Manolis Papamakarios extended his contract with Lagun Aro, the Lega Endesa’s pleasant surprise for last year and he talks about what he loves at San Sebastian and Sito Alonso’s big part in his decision. His priority was… “to stay at Lagun Aro, mainly after our coach, Sito Alonso remained with the team. We lost important players, like Andy Panko and Sergi Vidal, but i am sure the club will create a team, which will be solid. I can’t wait to go back at San Sebastian (19/8) and i am sure in my second season i will be a lot more helpful. Now, i know what i have to do and i won’t need any time to adapt”.
His good friend, Andy Panko signed to Panathinaikos, so this year he won’t have him around. But Papamakarios hasn’t forgotten yet, the nice dinner Panko bought him, after he lost a bet! “Last year, we used to bet a lot on things like who is going to win this or that game. Of course just for fun and always the price was a lunch or a dinner. At Euroleague’s final, i bet on Olympiacos – i am a Greek, remember? – and Andy on CSKA Moscow. At the half time, i heard a lot of not so nice things from him. He made fun of me, but at the end… i can say i enjoyed a really good dinner, thanks to him”!