“We will have to be aggressive right from the tap-off of game 1, because Pistoia is particularly dangerous away from home. We must absolutely not make our opponents fire up: they are capable of placing impressive partial scores, as also happened when we met them at PalaLeonessa A2A in regular season or when they managed to win in Bologna”. Word of David Cournooh, who speaking of the playoff quarter-final series between his Brescia and the red and white team – which kicks off tomorrow evening – demonstrates great respect and admiration towards Estra. “We are playing against a team – says the Germani point guard – who surprised everyone and who, as newly promoted teams, were the protagonists of a wonderful championship. Compared to the first round, when we beat PalaCarrara, Pistoia has changed a lot their way of playing. Honestly, it impressed me: it’s not for everyone to conquer both the Milan and Virtus pitches in the usual season.”
Among the red and white players, Cournooh fears four in particular. “Moore is a great striker, because he manages to finish first-hand, but he is also able to put his teammates in rhythm. Willis is a scorer, as is Varnado. The one who impressed me the most, however, is Ogbeide: he has physical presence and he was constant for the entire regular season. Nicola Brienza, with whom I would have liked to work in Cantù (the two only came close to each other, ed.), is also a coach of great value. Even last year, no one expected Pistoia could achieve promotion. The coach’s hand can be seen a lot.” Finally, a joke from the class of ’90 about his time in red and white. “It’s true that it was a short experience (14 appearances in the red and white jersey from October 2016 to January 2017, ed.), but I have wonderful memories.”
Francesco Bocchini
