UPDATE: The Whittlesea Pacers are in a must-win situation as they prepare for an urgent knockout semi-final this weekend against the Warrandyte Venom. After a disappointing loss to the Coburg Giants, where they fell 110-86, the Pacers are fighting to keep their championship hopes alive in the Big V men’s division 1.
The Pacers kicked off their finals journey on Saturday night, but things quickly went south as they struggled to maintain momentum. Despite starting strong, the team found themselves trailing by nine points at halftime and 17 points by the end of the third quarter. Coach Des Radoslovic expressed the urgency of bouncing back, stating, “It’s never great to have a loss, but we’ve earned the double chance and move to next week.”
In a tightly contested first half, the Pacers were right there with the Giants, but the pivotal difference came in shooting accuracy. Radoslovic remarked, “They shot the ball better than us. We generated the shots we wanted to get, but we didn’t shoot well.” The intensity was palpable, with a roaring crowd supporting their team, yet the failure to capitalize on scoring opportunities proved costly.
Key players Angus Fischer, Oscar Percy, and Pat Green each contributed 18 points in the loss, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Giants’ strong performance. Now, with their season on the line, the Pacers must regroup quickly before facing the Venom, who recently triumphed over Western Port, 112-96.
Radoslovic remains uncertain about the return of import player Raheem Anthony, who is dealing with a back injury. “We’ll see,” he said, hinting at a potential game-time decision. The team’s focus now shifts to preparing for a crucial match in front of their home crowd on July 15, 2023.
As anticipation builds, fans and players alike are eager to see if the Pacers can harness their previous success against both the Giants and the Venom. Radoslovic has instilled a sense of determination in his team, emphasizing the need to execute their game plan effectively and rise to the challenge.
Stay tuned as the Pacers gear up for this critical showdown, where every point counts and the pressure is on to secure a spot in the grand final. The stakes couldn’t be higher, and this weekend will be a defining moment for the Whittlesea Pacers.
