Xavi Pascual: "Today our team showed character"

Zenit head coach Xavi Pascual summed up the results of the winning match against UNICS (92:83), which took place in St. Petersburg at the CSC Arena.

— First of all, one more time, thanks to all the fans that they were here. Thanks to all of you also for the support that always with the team. One game that we played three quarters very well. But in the second quarter, we were a disaster. With a lot of turnovers. And from there UNICS scored 11 points in fast break. And in offense, this second quarter was looking like we don't practice. But today our team showed character. We had a great reaction in the second half. And it's very difficult to win against one team like UNICS when they took advantage, it's very difficult to come back. But today we found a way to do it.

— Zenit scored 35 points in the third quarter. What did you tell the players during halftime?

— We were playing with a lot of mistakes, without order, without space. Everybody was doing what we cannot do, you know. One team is like one orchestra. And the one who is playing the piano cannot touch the violin. And in the second half, all the team changed the instruments. Not in purpose, it's because of the pressure, because of the nerves, because everybody wants what sometimes happens. To control the emotions is very important in our game. It is very important to keep calm in our game.

— Can we say that today's match was a playoff rehearsal?

— These derbies with CSKA, Loco, UNICS — every game is like a playoff time because we know how important it is to win these games and if we are going to be in the first position at the end of the regular season.

— Dwayne is not such a stable player during the season, but today he had an excellent performance. Why do you think that is?

— He's one player that always is helping the team. He has big quality, especially in important games. He helps us a lot. He's a winner, he wants to win. Today Dwayne showed his personality to lead the team in the right way.

— There's a two-week break ahead. How will the team spend this break?

— We will practice as much as we can. Also we need to rest. Mentally, physically we are going to be ready for the next game at home against Astana.