Bruno Savignani, the head coach of Cajasiete Gran Canaria, has expressed that the team's recent defeats against Movistar Estudiantes (102-80) and HLA Alicante (84-74) have served as a reality check, helping them to learn how to manage frustration and understand that the Primera Federación Española de Baloncesto (FEB) is more challenging than many had anticipated.
During a press breakfast organised by the club, the Brazilian coach emphasised that this season is akin to a marathon, necessitating continuous improvement and mental resilience throughout the entire 40 minutes of play. He acknowledged that the yellow team struggled with offensive frustration during both matches against direct rivals, stating, "Offensive frustration from poor decisions has taken its toll on us. We missed open shots and easy layups, which can diminish confidence. However, this should not affect our defensive performance, which is crucial for maintaining calm and accuracy."
Savignani noted that the recent loss to the Madrid club revealed a "frustrated team" eager to perform better and engage in both individual and collective reflection. He believes this introspection will provide the strength and energy needed to pursue their goal of returning to the Liga Endesa.
He highlighted the contrast between the team's strong first half and their struggles in the second half against Movistar Estudiantes, where poor decisions and physical fatigue led to their downfall. "When you face a well-prepared team playing at home, it can disrupt your defensive focus and inflict damage. We were unable to mentally overcome that frustration, which hindered our ability to perform at our physical best," he explained.
Looking ahead to the upcoming match against Inveready Gipuzkoa Basket on Saturday at 19:00 local time, Savignani warned that they will be facing a disciplined opponent. He noted that Gipuzkoa Basket will present a different challenge compared to those encountered in the early league matches, as they will seek to impose their interior game with two large pivots and perimeter players who are currently shooting well from three-point range.
Regarding the physical demands of the Primera FEB, Savignani reminded players that this competition allows for more physical contact than the Liga Endesa, requiring players like Fran Guerra, Carlos Alocén, and Pierre Pelos to adapt to this level of permissiveness. "We need to exercise patience," he concluded.
