Penarroya on Dusko Ivanovic possibly replacing him: 'I remain calm' / News - Basketnews.com

Penarroya said he'd continue working as long as he had a job. He was proud of the team for competing against Panathinaikos despite having just eight players in the rotation.

Credit: ZUMAPRESS.com - Scanpix Credit ZUMAPRESS.com - Scanpix

Having a rotation of just eight players, Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz lost against Panathinaikos Athens in the EuroLeague on Friday. After the game, questions about head coach Joan Penarroya's future started to rise again.

Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz / Schedule

Panathinaikos Athens Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz95-81 Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade11-0319:30

It's been rumored that Dusko Ivanovic, who was let go from Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade earlier this month, is a prime candidate to take over the job from Penarroya, marking his third comeback to the club.

Talking with Radio Baskonia, Penarroya addressed the rumors.

"I will do my job. I will continue working as long as I have a job. I'm not used to all of this, but I remain calm. This week has been difficult not only for me but for the entire team," Penarroya said.

Playing with only eight fully ready players, Baskonia kept the fight close until the fourth quarter, when the players seemed to have begun lacking stamina. Chima Moneke, who's been the leader of the team this year so far, was registered for the game but did not step onto the court.

"The team stayed together. I am grateful and proud of the efforts of my players, the coaching staff, the assistants, the physiotherapists, and even the media," the coach said.

"Even though we had problems before the game, we competed well against a good team. We needed more energy in the last 10 minutes. It was obvious that we were tired in those minutes," Penarroya concluded.

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