Pierre Pelos, the forward for Cajasiete Gran Canaria, revealed on Friday that he is experiencing a challenging start to the season, particularly on a mental level, as he adjusts to life in Primera FEB. He stated, "I am physically well, but the problem is in my head."
In a press conference ahead of the match against Movistar Estudiantes, scheduled for Sunday at 17:30 local time, the French player expressed the difficulty of accepting the team's relegation, saying he needs time to come to terms with their new reality. "This summer was very complicated. The arrival of Bruno Savignani and Francesc Solana helped me, but it has been tough because I needed to accept that we are in Primera FEB. Now, I am very happy to continue in Gran Canaria. For my family and me, it is the best decision because I feel at home, and that is the most important thing," he reflected on a summer during which he received offers from Liga Endesa teams.
Looking ahead to the match against the Madrid-based team, Pelos warned that it would be a "very challenging" game between two teams vying for promotion to Liga Endesa. However, he insisted on treating it as just another match of the season, while acknowledging that encounters with direct rivals "count double." Despite the significance of the match, he refrained from labelling it a final, opting instead to focus on "working and improving" to compete against a physically strong Movistar Estudiantes.
Following their relegation, Cajasiete Gran Canaria no longer has European commitments during the week, which allows for more preparation time between matches. Pelos noted that this situation can lead to overthinking, stating, "We have many days to think between games, which helps us work more, but it also makes you overthink." He reflected on their previous defeat against HLA Alicante, suggesting it served as a wake-up call to intensify their efforts. "The first blow was to the face, but the second was not. We need to play very well in this match because we no longer have any safety nets at the start of the season," he cautioned.
