Scariolo after winning the Italian Super Cup: 'These games must be taken with a grain of salt' / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Virtus Bologna Credit Virtus Bologna

Virus Segafredo Bologna won their first Italian Super Cup in 25 years after edging out AX Arman Exchange Milan.

After the game, Virtus' coach Sergio Scariolo talked about the victory and being happy but acknowledged that the regular season had not started yet, so the team shouldn't feel too content yet.

"Congratulations to the team. We have read the game well, fought, and played with energy. Errors and uncertainties are normal at this point of the season. I am happy for the club, the fans, and the players, especially considering our difficulties at the beginning of the season. It is a little moral victory for us, but nothing more. It's nice to have won the tournament, but we need to take it for what it is and go back to work."

Scariolo also touched on the two players that paved the path to victory for Virtus yesterday - Mouhammadou Jaiteh and Alessandro Pajola.

"At this point of the season, the games must be taken with a grain of salt. We try to have balanced effort, but it's nice to see them emerge, especially in difficult moments. Pajola has a lot of room for improvement, but he was excellent on offense and sufficient on defense today.

He may play two bad games and one good match, like today, but he has a bright future ahead of him. He's in the middle of a growth process that can take him to very high altitudes. I love working with him, and I know where he can grow. I'm happy he had a great day in a final."

On the losing side, coach Ettore Messina talked about how his team started the game poorly and gave up a lot of points on defense.

"Congratulations to Sergio Scariolo and Virtus, they deserved this victory. We started badly, and it affected us throughout the game. We had some good moments, but obviously, it wasn't enough. When you concede 90 points in a one-on-one game, you don't have a great chance. Virtus were certainly ahead, they were confident, and Pajola is certainly a splendid player. We will work to improve ourselves."

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