Žakelj: Teamwork and team victory

The "Blues" played as a team, the French connection worked – Jerry Butsiel and Axel Butey, Rashid Sulaiman, Yogi Ferrell, and the often criticized Skylar Mays were added.

"First of all, congratulations to the players, I think they deserved it, they got back what they were training after the Eurocup, with all the problems we constantly have with injuries, they showed good character and a good approach. That's the most important thing. I think Partizan was a big favorite at the moment with a very good game and form in the Euroleague. We are glad that we managed to get a good team with the help of the audience, I think the atmosphere was great," said Podgorica coach Andrej Žakelj after the match.

The start wasn't the best, there were a lot of turnovers, but later everything came together.

"As for the game itself, we started a little softer, they had some open shots, we took risks, it didn't pay off for us. In the end, we changed that, with a good approach and concentration we won the game. I think every player made their contribution, I'm not just talking about points, defense and some other things are very important. So, I think today was a team victory," the Slovenian expert emphasized and added:

"I think the basics are always the most important. We changed some defense, it paid off, we were more aggressive. Kovlijar did a great job. In the end, it was teamwork and a team victory," said Žakelj.

Jer Butsiel played a good match in both directions.

"We generally knew what kind of defense they were playing and where we could look for points. I think Butsijel made good use of the things we had agreed on, with the help of the other players. We had a game plan, not everything always goes the way you imagine. But today the focus was better than in previous games and that resulted in the victory," said Žakelj.

The focus was at an enviable level, which the coach of Buducnost, along with the defense, often emphasizes.

"I think it's concentration, focus. We were preparing for individuals, we knew if we took over how Karlik Jones would attack. But without concentration, the details can't work. We were concentrated on the basics. I'm pleased that the team reacted like that even after difficult training and injuries, because we don't have a rotation even for training, so I think it's an important victory," said Žakelj.

The victory is big, but the Slovenian expert doesn't want euphoria.

"I think we needed a game like that. I think we played well last round with Igokea with nine players, today with ten. These are certainly some good wins for us before the playoffs. It wasn't easy after Cluj, but again, it's one game, the next one is in eight days. There's no euphoria, let's rest tomorrow and continue working," said Žakelj and praised Oleksander Kovlijar's defensive play:

"Saša, like everyone else, has his role, when you accept it and are focused on what you need to do, it ultimately results in minutes. Saša did it well today, we had a few mistakes on Braun, but with the change in defense we corrected that and like everyone else, he did his part today," emphasizes the blue-and-white coach.

Jordan Thompson did not enter the game today.

"There are always mistakes in selection, I'll just say that. In the end, the result is what counts, for now everything is correct in the ABA League. Sometimes some players don't get along in the system. It's not that I wrote off Thompson, he had an injury, was out for a month and then he's still being sought. It's my decision to try to wake up Nikolić. The season is still going on, there are games to be played. Let's move on."

A huge contribution was made by the defenders, who are most deserving of the triumph – Butej, Mace, Sulaymon…

"We have that talent at the guard positions and we need to use that quality. When we play defense, we can play good basketball. In general, I'm happy with everyone today, Nikolić did some things I wanted to do today, some things he didn't, but it's all part of the game. Slavković did his thing after his injury. In general, I'm happy with the whole team," Žakelj emphasized.

Buducnost mathematically secured fourth place before the playoffs.

"It's pointless to mention the semi-finals. We still have the regular season, then the playoffs, the quarter-finals, that's all in our heads. I don't even want to talk about it, because I want the focus to be on what we're doing now," Žakelj concluded.

In the quarterfinals, the "blues" could face Cluj, who eliminated them in the round of 16 of the Eurocup.

"No matter who comes to us, our ambitions are the same - to move on," concluded Žakelj.