Andre Roberson: "This is the time of year to go out there and shine"

The Blue-White-Sky Blues forward Andre Roberson spoke exclusively to Zenit TV about the victory over Uralmash (92:64). In our interview, he discusses the third quarter, his personal contribution to the final result, and the next quarterfinal game.

— Andre, just as you said, we need to stay together and to analyse Game 1 and today results proves it, that we managed to do it in a good way, right?

— Yes, I agree. I mean, as I said before, this is a long series and it's not the first of one, it's the first of three games, so three wins. We're not here to clear home court tonight, but we know we got to go and prepare and do things work on the things we need to clean up and continue to build off the things we did well. It's gonna be a tough in the Game 3, so we'll be ready to.

— Everybody speaks about third quarter that we usually have. What was different this time?

— Oh, it's a great question. I mean, I think we all were just coming into the overall game with sharp mental focus and I think we carried that out through the whole game even coming out of halftime. Coach come in with a pretty simple and effective game plan and you know, we went out there and executed it. So that's what it's really all about and staying together, playing together and playing for each other.

— You personally brought a lot of energy to the team during this game just you know, making tough shots, shooting two times from downtown. Also, you know, making this dunk in the very end of the second quarter. How do you feel?

— I mean I feel great. I mean this is playoff basketball. I got to come out here and be ready and try to bring energy. Like I said being down 0-1 you know backs against the wall and these kind of moments kind of show your true character. I know who I am and I know who all these guys are and I think we went out there and exemplified that and going into Game 3.

— You now had just some extra practice in the gym after such an exhausting game, and don't you feel exhausted?

— Me? No, I'm great. I'm great. This is the time of year to go out there and shine. We worked all season for this moment, and it's been a heck of a season. A lot of adversity, but we're going to come out and come to the top. Cream always rises to the top.

— Next two games for us will be in the Urals, where the Ural match has a very great atmosphere. What do we need to do to book our tickets for the semifinal?

— Do what we did tonight. Like I said, continue to stay together, first and foremost. Go out there, play hard, execute our game plan. Like I said, we're worried about ourselves. Everything else, take care of the rest. We know it's going to be a tough atmosphere. They've got a great crowd, a great home court. But you know this is a difference in the team and I think we go out there and do a good job in Game 3. So, I keep building.

Yeah, and for our fans: amazing job tonight guys! Thank you, we heard you loud and prideful. We're gonna need it for the rest of the playoffs so hopefully we can go take two if not one and come back and finish the job. I look forward to seeing you guys again.