Jasikevicius takes Barcelona's first win with a grain of salt: 'The third quarter was unacceptable' / News - Basketnews.com

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FC Barcelona kicked off their season at the Spanish Liga ACB yesterday and came away with an 85-78 victory over UCAM Murcia.

However, Sarunas Jasikevicius' squad lacked consistency and could only win due to a late push in the fourth quarter.

After the game, Saras said he was happy with how the team performed in the first half but didn't like what he saw after the break. Barcelona had a 17-point lead at the start of the third quarter but let their opponents go on a 6-23 run to tie the game.

"The third quarter was unacceptable. We talk about it a lot because it is a problem that we have had for years, and we will continue working to improve on it," Jasikevicius said.

The Lithuanian specialist was pleased with how his team looked for most of the game but thought they gave up too much in the remaining time.

"Today was the first league game, and we had to win it. I am happy because, in general, we have had three very good quarters. However, we continue giving away spacing, advantages, giving everything away. It seems like we assume that we have to play this way, and we have to suffer from this."

With five minutes remaining in the game, the Catalans had a narrow one-point lead (69-68), but then, they kicked into high gear and closed out their opponent.

Jasikevicius mentioned that the team hadn't had much time to gel together and still has a lot of room for improvement.

"We have been together for less than a month, and everything can be improved. Today, in the end, we have been taking advantage of their numerous fouls, and we have gone more to the low post in the last quarter, but we have to take these games forward and more at the beginning of the season.

Players must learn that this starts from scratch every time and that we are going to have to suffer, and I have been suffering for twenty-three years for fear of losing, and I continue in this profession," he concluded.

Barcelona will play their next Liga ACB game in Las Palmas on Wednesday when they take on Gran Canaria.

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