2024-04-15 01:35:44
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“Keio presents W League Playoffs 2023-2024” Final Comments from the HC and players following the second game have been posted.
Fujitsu Red Wave
BT Taves HC
Denso lost yesterday (game 1), so I thought they would make the most of their start. I fully understood that, and told them that we should be proactive and attack both defense and offense. As a result, we were able to create a point difference, and I think the first quarter was good. Although we had some offensive rebounds taken in the second quarter and some small mistakes on defense, I still thought it was going to be a good game.
Did something happen in the 3rd quarter? Looking at the numbers alone, I think so. In addition to offensive rebounds, there were also mistakes in pick defense and off-ball rotations, which allowed the opponent to exploit gaps in their defense. On offense, there were almost no consecutive pick-and-rolls, and there were not many side changes, so we mightn’t move the opponent’s defenders. One player had the ball for a long time, and when the scoring stopped, Miyazawa had to try to break the ball, so it wasn’t a team basket.
There are three things to fix for tomorrow (Round 3). Yesterday’s victory disappeared with today’s loss (game 2). It’s a one-shot match. Never head down. First of all, we will prepare for the corrections and fight once more tomorrow with a strong mindset to get off to a good start like yesterday and today.
#52 Yuki Miyazawa
We lost today (game 2) because our opponent grabbed offensive rebounds, and yesterday (game 1) we limited them to 9 rebounds, but we had 16, and we kept getting them in important periods. . If we might reduce that by three or four, I think we would have been able to ride the wave, and since our opponent was dropping shots, I think if we might get a break from the defensive rebound then we might have shown more of our Fujitsu style. As coach Taves said, I had to spend a lot of time with the ball, so I want to use good judgment in that area. I had the impression that Denso would attack the offensive rebounds and the ring more than yesterday, and I think that desire came out. We mightn’t adjust to that.
Tomorrow (game 3) will be our last, whether we cry or laugh, so if we all focus on winning the championship and if we all believe that we can win if we really play Fujitsu’s basketball, we will win the championship. I think it will come with it. We want to win, but first we need to focus on what we need to do and work together as a team. In the semi-finals, we went from 1 win to 1 loss and won the third game, so I think we are used to this situation, and we want to play Fujitsu’s basketball style once more.
It feels good to play in front of a large audience like today (7,168 people, the highest in W League history). I’m the type of person who gets more excited when a lot of people watch, and personally, it felt good to be able to play in such a good atmosphere.
denso iris
Vladimir Vugsanovic HC
Today’s game (2nd game) started out like yesterday’s game (1st game). Fujitsu’s players like Miyazawa and Machida, who have a lot of experience in finals, were just one win away from becoming champions, so I think they started out knowing what they had to do. But I think we were lucky in that we gradually regained our composure and did what we had to do. Fujitsu came out aggressive towards the end of the game, but I think we were able to hang in there without making any turnovers and seize our chances (to win).
Compared to yesterday, we were able to control the ball better. This morning (before the second match), we practiced a little and reconfirmed what we needed to do, and we talked regarding how the mental attitude is the most important thing. I don’t think we might have improved on that. Mistakes happen, but we were able to make a solid comeback from there, and I think it was a much better performance than yesterday. Even though I won today, it was just a matter of the skin of my neck. Today was a comeback from a loss, but tomorrow (game 3) I think it will be important how we continue mentally from the victory, so I hope we can prepare well.
#88 Ako Sunflower
It was a tough match. We didn’t get off to a good start in the first half, but we recovered well in the second half and were able to play aggressive defense from the start of the second half, so I’m glad we won. Regarding offensive rebounds, following yesterday’s game (game 1), we talked regarding how everyone might have put in more. I think it was good that we all did a good job of rebounding today (game 2). We were able to get a solid offensive rebound, which led to a second chance, which gave us a good momentum. We would like to continue with that tomorrow (game 3). Today, I tried to do what I wanted to do without worrying regarding the opponent’s matchup, and I played with the hope that I might attack both inside and outside.
Ritsu-san told me to practice free throws following the game…I missed both of them there too, and everyone called out to me saying, “It’s okay.” I’m really worried regarding it, but now I can feel like I’ll be fine tomorrow (lol).
#8 Takada Maki
We talked at the meeting regarding how the whole team should fight together in this situation with no end in sight. We didn’t get off to a good start, but even under these circumstances, we continued to rebuild our defense, which we had cultivated over the years, and fought with passion, talking to each other rather than focusing on technical details. I think I was able to fight. No matter the situation, we want to win tomorrow (game 3).
It’s not that we weren’t motivated yesterday (game 1), but we need offensive rebounds in order to win. I think it was because Himawari (Ako) scored the buzzer beater following getting an offensive rebound just before the end of the first half that it showed their passion. I was inspired by that play, and I felt that I had to do my best in the same way, so I did my best.
(Although it was the largest attendance in league history) I’m really happy. I was very moved to see the audience filling up the large venue. I think there were fans of both teams and many other fans who came to watch women’s basketball, so that’s a good thing for the players. It’s exciting, and I’m sure the players want to live up to expectations, so I’m happy.
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