“We are one step away from achieving the goal”

With a stellar performance by Ana Paz, Hebraica Macabi beat Malvín in a match that was defined in the supplementary game and put the semifinal series 1-0. After the game, the foreigner spoke with Basketball Total.

Ana began by talking about the feelings after the victory: “At this moment many emotions are crossing you. We are one step away from achieving the goal. We are very happy. We are a very positive group, and for us today’s victory was really very important.”.

After opening the game from the defense in the zone, he remarked: “We do not like to score in the zone very much, we like to defend individual. We are very intense when it comes to defending and that always makes us take the games forward. We didn’t think we were going to be able to keep the zone for so long, but today was what allowed us to stay in the game and we stuck to that. It was key to be able to control Puchetti and Somma on the bass”.

On how he experienced the end of regular and extra time, he expressed: “Malvín is an unpredictable team. They brought the game after being 12 points down. At that moment the thought was to be able to go out to play the extension as a new game, pulling forward and together. The entry of Dai (Cartro), who had not been having so many minutes, was key in the extension. She was able to influence both sides, after several teammates had to go out for their fifth foul or injured. We are very happy for her and because she can contribute to the team”.

Just about the entry of the second line, he added: “We have a very long team. All those who come from the bench have the confidence to take a shot or to make decisions, both in attack and defense. That makes us stronger”.

Regarding the injury of Johanna Puchetti, a foreigner from Malvín, who retired injured in extra time and will probably miss the next game, she commented: “An injury to any athlete hurts. It does not matter if he is a rival or a partner. I did not like to see Johanna like this, nor in the Defensor (Sporting) – Rowers game with the injuries of Julieta Ale and Camila Panetta. In any case, for us it is a benefit if Johanna does not play, without her Malvín loses weight below the rim. Now we have to rest well and focus on Saturday’s game”.

When consulting him for his present in the Maccabee, he expressed: “I am very happy in Hebraica. When I left last year I told Luis (Pierri) that if he called me I would be there for him and I was going to give my 100%. It was important to arrive at these instances to meet the objective, last year I left with that thorn of not having been able to achieve it. The overall league level has risen from last season, and the bar is high”.

“The dream has been going on since the season started. We have to go game by game, minute by minute. Today was a really tough match and we expect a similar match on Saturday. We are focused on the goal”, Declared Paz on the possibility of getting into the Final of the Women’s Basketball League for the first time.