Nobody in the capital has any complaints against him • Katsh claims that the decision to release him last season is one of the hardest he received • And he even wanted to continue ("I told them 'please, find a way I can stay'") • Tariq Phillip, currently in Topash, is ready for tonight's match against Hapoel Holon The champions
Tariq Philip in the Hapoel Jerusalem uniform
Photo:
Liron Moldovan
No one at Hapoel Jerusalem has any complaints about Tariq Philip.
On the contrary, former coach Oded Katash said that the decision to release him was one of the difficult ones he received, and other factors in the team also describe a good player with an excellent character.
Despite this, when the team faltered in November last year, the Reds decided to release the 27-year-old guard, who had already signed a contract with the Turkish Stock Exchange on the same day, where he played before arriving in the capital.
"I remember coming to training and the athletic director (Yotam Halperin; YM) called me and said they decided to release me," he told Israel Today in his first interview since leaving Jerusalem, "I told him, 'Please, find a way I can stay.' But they told me it was a decision of the management, which thinks it's what's good for the team and that it's out of the hands of the professional team.
So I thanked them for everything and for teaching me, and that's it.
"They made a decision, and I had to deal with it. That's how it is in life - there are always difficult decisions and in moments like this you just have to move on," he adds, "I will not say I was nervous, but I was not happy with how things ended there, because I wanted to continue. "We were in good shape and we won a lot. I really enjoyed my time there. I think if I had stayed, I would have shown more of my abilities too. Now I'm glad my previous club took me back and that's the only thing I concentrate on."
Katsch said your release is one of the hardest moments he has had.
"Katsh is one of the best coaches I have played for. He understands the game on a different level because he was a player who achieved a lot at the top levels. I learned a lot from him."
Philip does say that for him the team played well and was on the right track, but there is one game that sits in his head with a sense of failure.
"I will not forget the game against Burgos in the Champions League quarterfinals. It was a difficult time, the opponent finished the Spanish league and continued with the same staff, so they were very cohesive. We were a jigsaw puzzle of pieces trying to connect and get to know each other. It was very difficult to play against them. "They looked great at the time. I feel that with more time it would have looked different."
As mentioned, Phillip returned to Topash, and he is one of those responsible for the good season of the team that is ranked in fifth place and also qualified for the second home stage of the Champions League, during which it will meet Hapoel Holon tonight (19:00).
"Turkish basketball is more physical, in Turkey there is also a little more talent, but the main difference is the physical. In Israel, basketball is more offensive, which is something positive."
What are your chances against Holon?
"Holon is a good team that plays in a different style, of small-ball and a lot of exchanges. It's a different style than we know, but we are waiting to play against them and show our abilities. I am already waiting to return to Israel next round. You have nice people and I will be happy to return sometime Why not".
