Reading Rockets will be looking to bounce back after their first defeat of the 2015/2016 season this weekend when they take on Worthing Thunder on Sunday afternoon (5pm tip-off) in their final National Trophy pool game before the knockout stages. Despite being victorious last Saturday against Leicester Warriors in NBL Division One by 80 points to 58, the Berkshire outfit lost out for the first time in twelve outings as they were convincingly beaten by 65 points to 86 by Hemel Storm who cemented their place with Rockets in the quarter finals of the competition
Speaking after Sunday’s defeat and ahead of his team’s National Trophy match up with Worthing this weekend, Rockets Head Coach Manuel Pena Garces was in a reflective mood believing that the first loss of the season may in fact help his players in the upcoming games. The Spaniard said,
“Saturday was a really good performance against Leicester and we put in a professional display and were well worth the 20 point win. Sunday was a very different story and we learnt a lot of lessons about ourselves and where it is very evident we need to improve. Hemel played really well against us so we cannot take that away from them but it really highlighted for me our weaknesses at the moment and that is something that can only be helpful to us in the long run.”
“Now it is about managing the situation in terms of not getting too down about one loss, but also making sure we fully learn the lessons and improve in the areas that will make us a better team. We are aware of these areas and will start to build again on the really great start we have had to the season as well as prepare as usual for the next game, in this case Worthing Thunder.”
“Worthing is always a tough team to play against and they have also just brought in a new American player so I expect them to be physical, competitive, and have belief they can beat us. In the league and trophy they have lost four games and won four games so they are a team that is dangerous because it depends how they are on the day so we will have to be mindful of this and make sure we prepare well.”
Rockets continue to have more positive news on the injury and player availability front with the news that shooting guard Joel Keeble is set to return to action this week after four weeks on the sideline with a fractured rib. Coupled with the return of captain Danny Carter last weekend and the introduction of Spanish Under 18 player Ibu Jassey Demba after his FIBA clearance, Coach Pena Garces will be hoping to keep a fully fit squad ahead of this weekend’s match up against Worthing and going into the run up before the Christmas break.
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