Jasikevicius: 'It's the first time in my career I couldn’t have four starters' / News - Basketnews.com

Credit BasketNews/D.Repečka

FC Barcelona (10-2) put on a show this Friday night at Palau Blaugrana, defeating Zalgiris Kaunas (2-10) by 23 points (96-73).

Player of the Game EFF 25 Pierre Oriola Points 13 Accuracy 5-7 Rebounds 9 Assists 5

Despite missing injured Nick Calathes, Cory Higgins, and Alex Abrines, as well as Brandon Davies, who was playing with Uganda in the FIBA windows, the Blaugranas managed to pull off the win.

Sarunas Jasikevicius showed his happiness after the game, analyzing it positively.

"I was worried because we did not start well, and we had some problems with the roster, but I think we made an excellent game on offense. We found good solutions. It is very important to win these games without key players," Jasikevicius said.

The Lithuanian mastermind recognized it was an emotional game for him.

"It was difficult to keep maximum concentration because it was my first club, I spent many years there, and I feel respect for them and the club. I feel honored to play against them", he explained.

FC Barcelona closed the game with four young players. Apart from Sergi Martínez and Michael Caicedo, Rafa Villar and James Nnaji (both born in 2004) became the two youngest players to debut with the Catalan club in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague.

"It is a great way to finish the game with guys from La Masia. We are in a delicate situation. They are used to practicing with us during the week. They are good guys, they work hard. I'm glad to have given them this opportunity," admitted Jasikevicius.

The 45-year-old coach also talked about players' absences.

"It's the first team in my career I couldn't have four starter players. But we played a really good game. We knew Brandon (Davies) would not play today. It's something we can't control as a club," said the coach.

Pierre Oriola finished the game with 25 PIR after 30minutes on the court, which was his best game of the season so far.

"The match was really tough. We had a lot of young players, but everybody put 100 percent on the court. Everybody played as hard as they could, the way we wanted to play. I always try to help the team, push the team, and that's it," he said.

On the other hand, Jure Zdovc made a short and quick statement about the tenth Zalgiris' loss this season.

"Honestly, we saw today how to play basketball, and why Barcelona is first and we are last. It's very simple. They gave us a lesson. I can accept the loss, but not how we stop fighting."

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