APR coach Trakh salutes his players after ‘excellent’ display against Patriots

APR basketball club coach Mazen Trakh has heaped praise on his players for showing a big heart during the basketball league semifinals playoffs against the Patriots. ALSO READ:PHOTOS: Playoffs: Robeyns stars as APR take Game 2, lead the series 2-0 Trakh’s side beat Patriots 70-63 on Friday night, August 25, at BK Arena to lead the series 2-0 and go a win a way from advancing to the finals. The American tactician referred to his men as champions with a big heart, a character that helped them win the past two semifinals playoff games. I'm so proud of our players. This was their win. You know, they came back, they won the game against a tough team, they showed a big heart. They were switching everything, everything in the first half, he said. ALSO READ: Playoffs: APR assistant coach calls for consistency after Game 1 win APR had to come from 10 points down at the break to win the game after the coach introduced new tactics from pressing to beating Patriots' players off the dribble. At the end of the half, we decided that everybody spread out to take them off the dribble. If you could beat them off the dribble, get to the basket, then kick it to somebody. So we were lucky that it worked and, then in the second half, we just got all the momentum, he said. Despite leading the series, Trakh has been impressed by the Patriots as a team with good game plan, fights a lot, and deserves a lot of credit. ALSO READ:PHOTOS: Playoffs: Nshobozwa posts 20 points as APR beat Patriots in Game 1 They were fighters. I give them a lot of credit. You know, they were ready to play us tonight (Friday). They're going to be ready to play us on Sunday, too, he said. The two teams face-off in Game 3 on Sunday, August 27, with Patriots looking for a crucial win to force the series to Game 4 and stay in contention. Discussing the next game, he said he expects the Patriots to come out and fight, and that it will be a difficult game. “It is going to be a very difficult game and hopefully we can win the game,” he said. Unlike Patriots who last won the trophy in 2020, APR has not won the league title since 2009.

Sports

APR coach Trakh salutes his players after ‘excellent’ display against Patriots