Credit: FIBA
Hereda San Pablo Burgos, back-to-back winners of the Basketball Champions League, kicked off the season by downing Besiktas Icrypex 82-74.
In the opening game of the season, the Spanish team succeeded after a great last quarter. When the ball burnt, Vitor Benite was set to step forward. The Brazilian guard scored 13 of his 27 points, becoming the hero once again.
"I help the team to win. This is the most important thing. I had too many open shots, and that is thanks to my teammates. Today it was me, the next game will be another one", explained the 31-year-old.
Zan Tabak claimed that their players must adapt to the Basketball Champions League referees.
"The ACB League is the cleanest league in terms of referring. And we are used to it. But when you play in Europe, there is much more contact, more hands. This is something we need to adapt to", he said.
After a good start, jumping out to a 1-0 in Group H, the Croatian coach thanked their fans.
"I would like to say big thanks to all the fans in the gym. They have been amazing, especially when we were down. We were not leading during the game, but they did not allow us to give up. A big part of this win is thanks to them, who have been supporting us always."
Besiktas ended the first half scoring 43 points, something unacceptable for Tabak.
"We did not prepare well for the game. Our defense effort from the beginning was not the same way as in the second half. In this competition, your mentality has to be stronger. I also think that our execution offensively was not good too. We missed too many easy buckets. But we changed our mentality in the end."
Alex Renfroe, who finished with 10 points and 8 assists, including the shot that dealt the game, enjoyed the atmosphere too.
"This is amazing. Our fans do a great job man, they support us whether we're up or down. I hated that they missed last season being in here", he said about enthusiastic and loud people at the Coliseum.
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