Last Saturday's victory for Hiopos Lleida on the challenging court of Tenerife represented a statement win and a turning point after a complicated week marked by the defeat against Zaragoza. This triumph reaffirmed the character of the group, a concept highlighted by guard James Batemon.
“"This team has stayed together, we all respect and trust the coach, so I think that’s what helped us get out of that hole. We are a very resilient team."
Batemon, who was one of the keys to the victory in the Canary Islands, addressed speculations about his relationship with coach Gerard Encuentra that had circulated on social media. He assured that the relationship is professional and very good, and that tensions are part of the coach-player dynamic.
The Milwaukee native added that the cohesion is also reflected off the court: “We spend time together outside of basketball. On trips we play cards, we live together a lot. It is a very close group, there is no player who is left out or goes their own way.”
“"It was a great victory; I am very happy for all of us. We showed a great fighting spirit and resilience to be able to counterattack and play very well at the end of the game."
Another major protagonist of the match, point guard Corey Walden, also highlighted the team's brave and aggressive mentality. On a personal level, Walden admitted that his strong performance in Tenerife has been a relief for his mindset and confidence after a complicated start to the season.
