“The forecasts are optimistic, Pablo Laso’s health is not in danger”
MADRID, 6 Jun. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The assistant coach of Real Madrid, Chus Mateo, acknowledged that the heart attack suffered by Madrid coach Pablo Laso last Saturday is a “hard stick” and a “‘shock'” for the team, but celebrated that the forecasts are “optimistic” , so no matter how much they are “touched”, the motivation of the squad continues “one hundred percent”.
“The motivation is one hundred percent, as much as we are touched, I cannot say the motivation we have… It is not closed, we know what Baskonia is capable of, we have not played perfect. If we do the basics well as in the first two games, we will have chances of victory”, analyzed Mateo in the press conference prior to the third game of the semifinals of the ‘Playoff’ of the Endesa League against the Basques.
Laso’s assistant began the appearance with emotion, remembering the “hard stick” that the team experienced on Sunday, when they learned that “their leader” had suffered a myocardial infarction at dawn. “Yesterday when we received the news, Pablo sent us a message, telling us that he would be away for a few days. His phone is not operational and we do not want to disturb or bother him. We are talking to his family and the news is optimistic. We are happy because it seems that can be left alone in a scare”, he explained.
“Now it’s about us moving forward with the work he’s done during the year. It’s such a ‘shock’ in the middle of the semi-final… Obviously heads stop to think about things in life. We want to face it with all guarantees tomorrow’s game, knowing that Pablo’s news is positive. We spend a lot of time together, we are all very good friends and obviously it affects emotionally”, he admitted.
Mateo said that “it is not easy to put your head back” after what happened. “We will try to ensure that our players are focused on Baskonia, we are professionals and we must adapt to all the circumstances of a season. It has not been an easy season, we have lost two finals and now we have to recover from something that is even more serious, Pablo is also playing a final and he has to win it,” he asserted.
“WE MUST RESPOND QUICKLY TO ANY SITUATION”
“This situation has touched us and we have to take the bull by the horns. We love this sport so much that sometimes it is difficult for us to differentiate what is important from what is inconsequential. It escapes us that life is beautiful things, that when we don’t have basketball we are unhappy, but it is true that we should relativize everything a bit. My mother said that this is a game, and yes, but I like it so much that sometimes it becomes something transcendental, “he reflected.
Mateo insisted that basketball is his “life” and he gives “everything for it.” “We like to be close to perfection so much that when the going gets tough sometimes these things happen,” he added.
However, the coach welcomed the fact that Laso left the UCI on Monday and is doing “favourably”. “The tests are good and he has gone to the ward, the forecasts are optimistic, his health is not in danger. We are happy because today we can be talking about how he is fine after yesterday’s scare. He will continue to give us trouble, he is our friend and we want a lot,” he said about the Basque coach.
Asked about this Tuesday’s game against Baskonia, Mateo confirmed Sergio Llull’s safe withdrawal and the “doubt” with Alberto Abalde, who continues “with a lot of discomfort”. Also, Thomas Heurtel and Trey Thompkins will also be unavailable after spraining their ankles in last practice. Thus, homegrown players Eli John Ndiaye and Urban Klavzar will complete the call.
“We don’t think of three opportunities, we think that we have a game ahead of us. There is only one game in our head and we will try to do our best. As much as we are distracted, we have to focus and reset again,” he said about closing the semifinals against Baskonia with a 3-0.
Finally, Mateo stated that they must “be prepared to face any adversity that may arise” with a “quick response to any situation that the game demands of you.” “I know that you have to do a series of basics very well to beat Baskonia: defend as a team and try to reduce Baskonia’s good points”, he concluded.