The Berliners are still the last, but take momentum for the Bundesliga. Pedro Calles succeeds in a perfect debut.
Basketball Bundesliga club Alba Berlin showed a strong reaction in the first game after the separation of head coach Israel González. The former series champion won his home game in the Euroleague against Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz 97:90 (50:46) and won the fifth victory in the 29th game. Alba is still the last, but takes momentum for the Bundesliga.
Under the leadership of the previous assistant coach Pedro Calles, who had succeeded González on Wednesday, Alba continued to settle after the break. The American Matt Thomas was the best scorer for the Berliners on Thursday evening. “I am very happy for the boys,” said Calles in Magentasport: “After so many defeats, we have a positive energy again. That is good for us.”
Calles wins in the first game as a boss
The focus of the experienced BBL coach Calles is not in European business for the rest of the season, but the BBL. The capital club has not yet been qualified for the hot season phase as a twelfth of the table, but the play-off places are still within reach.
On Sunday (6:00 p.m./Magentasport), a difficult task is waiting for Calles’ premiere as a bereaf coach in the BBL: Alba competes in the third in the table Löwen Braunschweig.