Hapoel Holon continued the positive momentum promoting the season and advanced to the semi-finals of the Winner's Cup after an impressive 80:89 over Hapoel Tel Aviv.
Maurizio Buscalia is constantly talking about defense and one can see why.
If the low score of the weak rivals in the preparation games could be justified on the unimpressive quality of the teams on the other side, this time the team of Danny Franco who is marked as one of the most talented teams in the league next season stood against.
The yellow-purples present an iron defense that takes the opponent's attack out of balance and their game patterns.
On the other hand, they do not for a moment neglect their attack.
The Italian coach requires his players to run at every opportunity and punish with quick attacks.
Joe Ragland once again showed why he is one of the best foreigners in the league with 25 points and 8 assists, and Stephen Gray did what he knows so well - to score at every opportunity the defense has left him free (16 points).
Hapoel Tel Aviv aspired to qualify for the next stage and of course can come out disappointed, but it should be remembered that it appeared with three foreigners compared to Holon's five.
With Diwan Hernandez's 211 inches her color will be much stronger and her face game will also get more varied options.
If Jacoben Brown (who caused heart palpitations when he complained of pain in his knee during the third quarter) stays healthy, she will speak loudly this year in all settings.
Idan Zalmanson (18) and James Young (16) look in excellent shape ahead of the season opener.
Manco is celebrating, tonight at Drive In.
Holon looks ready, Oded Karni
Bourdieu tries to stop Brown, tonight, Oded Karni