Laso believes that at Labrit they will have more options to put pressure on Irribarria and Rezusta, “who are going to try to keep Imaz on the rebound”
After overcoming the uncomfortable play-off in a different way, Laso and Imaz, the only Baiko combination that is still alive in the Pairs, and Irribarria and Rezusta face the first match of the semifinal group with renewed spirits. On Saturday at the Labrit they start the last sprint towards the summit crash, in which the margin of error is reduced to the minimum and other factors that can decide a crash gain importance. “Anything can happen because the psychological factor plays a lot. The tension on the court is not the same as if you are playing in quarters. They are life or death matches, ”admitted the Navarrese striker.
They arrive with their homework done because the goal they had set for themselves was to achieve in this phase. “We are confident and have nothing to lose.” But that does not mean that they are not going to leave their skin on the court to try to surprise “against some very tough rivals, who are very sparkly.”
In the two previous meetings each couple shared a victory. In Eibar the Bilbao promoter won (22-21) and in Tafalla the lefties from Aspe (22-12). This time they meet on the field in the capital of Navarra and Laso considers that it could be an advantage for them. “Because of its characteristics, it also comes in handy for us to do damage. Here we have more possibilities than in a large pediment », he stressed.
In any case, he is aware of what awaits them due to the blow that his opponents have and he will have to try to take the game to the happy teams to prevent them from being comfortable and being able to release the ball. It will be a way to take work away from his partner Imaz, “whom they are going to try to keep on the rebound.” The striker is confident that his defender will hold up, “because he is having a great championship and he looks better every day, although he will have to get a lot of air”.
A parchment ball
Rezusta did not deny his rival, but he stressed that “only with the punch you don’t win games or championships. More things have to be done.” They are clear that at the beginning of the match they will need to pace themselves and “avoid the Navarrese striker, but Irribarria will have to finish off when he has a chance. During the championship he is doing it and getting it right », he stressed.
After not reaching this stage the last two editions, Bergara’s bodyguard estimates that they are facing a “nice opportunity” to enter the final and they want to take advantage of it. “But you have to start adding from the first day because there is no margin.”
In the play-off they had a lot more work than expected, but they knew how to solve it in time. “There was a time when we saw things very complicated, but we were able to turn it around and that’s why we’re here.” Now they are “forced” to do things well to be on top, but they come to the game “without excuses.” “We are well and wanting to start to see if we can add the first point.”
The material chosen for the shock is different. Those from Aspe opted for livelier balls with the intention of getting more out of their punch, while Laso and Imaz opted for shorter leathers that slide more on the ground so that their rivals have less time to position themselves. He highlighted a shriveled ball of those that are already seen rather little in the basket. “They are the ones that I like, so it is the first that we have stayed with,” said Laso.
