Lokomotiv-Kuban defender Vladislav Yemchenko, after a voluntary victory over Yenisei in the VTB United League match, explained the success of the Krasnodar team by the fact that after the break the team improved in defense, and also noted that Jaylen Barford is forced to treat the team’s players to a pizza for earning the team’s hundredth point in the match.
On Tuesday, Lokomotiv-Kuban Krasnodar defeated Enisey Krasnoyarsk in the away match of the second stage of the regular VTB United League championship with a score of 101:87 (25:27, 15:25, 26:19, 35:16). Yemchenko scored a double-double of 21 points and 12 assists, and Barford scored 25 more points.
— “Loko” did not play the first half with much confidence, losing -15 during the match. How did you manage to turn the situation around?
— I wouldn’t say we played uncertainly in the first half. We were solid on offense, but everything didn’t go well on defense: we lost rebounds, Enisey took second chance points. The opponent took a good lead. But in the second half, we added some energy in defense and attack, acted according to the coach’s plan, scored our shots, slowly caught up with the opponent and took the lead. Well, in the end, our interaction helped us score points: the team’s defense stopped Enisey.
— You became one of Lokomotiv’s most productive players during this meeting. How would you comment on your successes?
— I saw that I had scored 21 points after the end of the match. I didn’t focus on those moments. When I got to the locker room, the guys and the coaches also said that I had made 12 assists. Did this surprise me? I wouldn’t say that. Of course, I’m happy that I managed to play so effectively. But the most important thing is that the team won. I always want and try to play. But sometimes you don’t always understand. We lost most of the match, but we didn’t give up and we fought. Therefore, such victories are very pleasant. I don’t want to focus on personal stats – all the guys contributed to the victory. It’s a team victory. In general, our goal is team victory, not individual statistics.
Now we have some time to rejoice and we will prepare for the match against CSKA. Because we have big goals. We are going to them. And these goals are championship. Let’s aim there.
— Lokomotiv surpassed the hundred-point mark in this match – “donuts”. Will there be a donut for the team on this occasion?
“We celebrate such things with pizza.” Burford scored his 100th point – so we’ll try to get him a pizza. I have to register (laughs). We will see,” Yemchenko told .
The Krasnodar club won its 20th victory of the season with nine defeats and occupies third place in the Group A standings; Enisey lost its third consecutive match (16 wins, 13 losses) and is in sixth place.
Watch live broadcasts of VTB United League matches on Match Group channels, as well as on the matchtv.ru and sportbox.ru sites.
Source : MatchTV
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