BarcelonaEric Vila (Bescanó, 1998) was one of Basketball Girona’s risky bets, but his adaptation to the Endesa League is being very positive. Graduated in social sciences, the winger returns to the Palau Blaugrana, where he trained, more mature than ever.
On Wednesday he received the news of the Spanish national team call-up. How did it go?
— I am happy to have the opportunity to play with the national team. When you’re a gamer, it’s a dream. I am very grateful to both the club and the coaches and teammates for the confidence they have given me. Everyone is helping me in the growing process and I hope to keep improving. It’s an important first step, but I still have a lot of work to do. I am very happy to be playing at this level in the first year in the ACB. I think I’m adjusting well.
You experienced the Akasvayu Girona stage as a fan.
— I was 10 or 11 years old, I went to see Fontajau’s matches and always sat in front of the visiting bench. I loved basketball and went to every game I could. I have very nice memories. Gasol, McDonald, Myers, Middleton… I saw live players who have marked an era in Girona. He was another fan and, therefore, being able to play in Fontajau is a dream come true.
How did you experience the club’s demise?
— Very bad, really. I went to a rally that took place in front of the town hall. I blew the trumpet as much as I could to try to keep the project from disappearing, but the outcome was the worst. I did everything I could to make sure it wasn’t like that.
What does the Girona Basketball project mean to you?
— When we went up, we fulfilled a dream. Girona is a city that breathes a lot of basketball. During this 14-year absence, Uni Girona has been lucky, but we have missed elite men’s basketball.
Marc Gasol is very clear that the bulk of the dressing room must be made up of Catalans.
— This helps you get involved in what you do on a daily basis. It’s one thing to understand the project and another to have passion for the club. Básquet Girona is trying to bring in players who feel represented. We feel identified with the values proposed by the club and, at the same time, the fans can feel that they are representatives of what the players do. This harmony is very important and very beautiful. It is a matter of pride that Catalan is spoken at Básquet Girona, it reflects the club’s culture and values.
The president attaches great importance to the social side.
— Last year we started many projects with social sensitivity and sustainability. For me, these are things I like to be involved with. When I left for the United States, I was already involved in different similar actions. Sponsors should help us motivate people and improve our immediate environment.
Why is Aíto a different coach?
— He sees basketball in a different way. It is very educational and for young players like me every day is a learning experience. We are learning from his philosophy and his way of looking at basketball, which can be played in a different way. Not everything is mathematical, it gives importance to the reading of the player.
Is the match against Barça one of those marked on the calendar?
— Yes, more than anything because I played there for many years and I also feel very identified with the club. I spent my childhood in Barcelona and it is like a second home. All games are important, but this one makes me especially excited. Going back to where I trained will be special.
You made your debut at the ACB when you were only 16 years old.
— It was very special for me. The communion we had with the fans was very nice. I remember being on a cloud because I was very young. I don’t think any 16-year-old is ready to make his debut at a club as big as Barça.
Then he decided to go to the United States. Are you happy with how things went for you?
— The decision was very difficult, but I thought it was the right one. There were people who had doubts, but I kept working, which is the only thing you can control. All the work is paying off. My surroundings kept me centered and shielded me from outside comments. The injury was a tough time and also mixed with the coronavirus. I couldn’t go home for two years and it was a difficult time, but I tried to stay focused with other motivations to keep my head fresh.
