Reading Rockets will be looking to bounce back from their first NBL Division One league defeat last weekend when they travel to the south coast to take on Worthing Thunder in the National Cup Quarter Final this Sunday, 5pm tip-off at Worthing Leisure Centre. Rockets picked up win number five of the league season with an 83 points to 73 victory over Tees Valley Mohawks last Saturday only to be defeated the following day by 76 points to 73 against Team Northumbria to leave them in third place in the table with five wins and one loss as they switch their attentions to the National Cup this weekend.
Sunday’s opponents, Worthing Thunder have a 2-4 record in NBL Division One but made it to the last eight stage of the National Cup having beaten Sussex Bears, Thames Valley Cavaliers, and Kent Crusaders to set up game number two of the season against the Rockets. The previous match-up earlier in the month saw the Thunder take away a crucial 70-68 win from Reading to leave the Rockets in fourth place in the National Trophy southern pool giving the Worthing team a home game against Team Northumbria in the quarter final stage of the competition.
Rockets Head Coach Manuel Pena Garces had mixed emotions after his team’s long weekend in the North of the country but knows he must quickly turn his and the team’s attention to Sunday’s mouth watering National Cup tie with Worthing Thunder. The Spanish play-caller said,
“Last weekend was a very interesting one for us because on Saturday we didn’t play too well in some parts of the game yet still won and then on Sunday we played much better in longer parts of the game however lost so it is important we analyse the performances to show the areas we need to keep working and improving in and that is what will be really important for us this week heading into Sunday’s game.”
“I think we are still working on finding the identity of our team as well as the areas we need to focus on to maximise the potential we have and I am hoping we can keep working towards this alongside preparing for the trip to Worthing this weekend.”
“Sunday will be a really tough game for us because Worthing has a lot of talent, they have the confidence from beating us earlier this month, and they are playing at home but that does not stop us believing we can win the game, far from it! I believe in my players and I know that the many lessons we are learning about ourselves, what we need to work on, and how we need to beat teams will really put us in a good position for this weekend’s knock out game.”
Rockets go into Sunday’s National Cup with one major injury concern. Shooting Guard Joel Keeble is once again on the sidelines this time with a knee problem and the extent of his injury is unknown. The 22 year old had been out for six weeks already this season with a fractured rib so he will be hoping the injury sustained to his knee isn’t a serious one so the club’s physio team will be working with him over the course of the week in an effort to see the extent of the problem. Other than that, the remaining eight of Manuel Pena Gaces’ senior players will be available selection with Under 18s Fidel Gomez De Enterria Lopez, Ibu Jassey Demba, and Ali Sbai all in contention as the Rockets look to make the last four of the competition they finished runners-up in last season.
To keep up to date with all the latest news and information, visit the Rockets website www.readingrockets.co.uk and follow the club on twitter @rocketsreading.
Media@readingrockets.co.uk
Basketball Hotline 0118 926 3040
www.readingrockets.co.uk