About to leave the month of January, BAXI Manresa continues to shine and is on the way to stop being the revelation of the season to become a reality as an alternative to the ‘greats’.
Under the orders of a Pedro Martínez who continues to teach, the team from Manresa has already won the Catalan League this season, will return 17 years later to the Copa del Rey and lead their group in the Champions League.
Once again based on players as unknown to the fans as they are solvent and valid, those from Bages continue to defy logic and one of the figures that is attracting the most attention It is the French point guard Sylvain Francisco.
At 24 years old and 1.85 meters tall, this base from a Roanne in which he touched the 15 average points that his compatriot Andrew Albicy admired in his beginnings spoke by telephone with SPORT and he was really ambitious.
Francis tries to stop Jokubaitis
| DAVID RAMIREZ
Did you expect a course as remarkable as the one you are doing?
When I arrived I knew we had a young team with a lot of room to grow, but I didn’t expect that we would be able to do this.
Last season he shone at the Chorale Roanne Basket and last summer he goes to Manresa on trial. Why?
I took it as a test to prove my level. I had to show that I can play in the best league in Europe. I love basketball and I love challenges.
A year and a half ago I was playing in the Second Division in France…
Yes, in Paris. And look at my evolution since then. I’m not afraid of anything and I learn fast.
His numbers improve every year… What is his secret?
None. I just do what the coach tells me. And my brothers help me a lot, we watch videos and they tell me where I need to improve. When I do it wrong sometimes I don’t want to see myself, but they insist on me.
Are you mentally strong?
Much. As I have had problems I have been hardening and becoming stronger.
Sylvain Francisco knows how to direct and score
| EFE
You were educated in Florida. How do I get there?
When I was in France nobody wanted to test me because I was short. Stop playing, they told me, but my mentality kept me going. A brother who played in the US (there are nine of them) knew a coach and they saw me at a tournament in London, the Five Stars. He liked me and I went to Florida.
Would you like to play in the NBA?
Everyone thinks about the NBA, but I’m focused on my season. The difficult thing is not to go, but to stay and be important. We’ll see.
How about Pedro Martinez?
At first it was difficult and we argued sometimes. It’s an electric trainer, but he came over and in two minutes it was all fixed. Now our relationship is excellent. He is a great coach and has a very open mind. He is very hard and very perfectionist in each session, as it should be. And my evolution is thanks to him, the staff and my colleagues.
Pedro Martínez is the key to BAXI Manresa
| EFE
What do you insist on the most?
Especially in that I am not defending well and little by little I think I am improving there.
What do you remember about the Palau?
Especially the victory and how the team competed. I put my performance in second place, because without the great match of the whole team I would not have played like this.
They are already in the Cup and from a tope and Champions. Do you really aspire to fight for titles?
This team is ready for anything. At the beginning nobody respected us at the beginning and we had to row a lot based on work. We have not relaxed. We can do it, why not? The season is long and we have to continue to focus on day to day, but let no one doubt that we are going to fight for the best.
Pope Francis is full of praise for Chima Moneke
| EFE
Tell me about Chima Moneke. Is it as peculiar as it seems?
Yes, he is a fun guy and I like him a lot, because a team always needs someone with so much energy. We had faced each other in France and I hadn’t seen him for three years. He makes the team have a good time and is a great player. The first time I saw him, I thought… but what is this guy about? I love Chima!
