Taccetti: “We can compete with anyone, but that 8 out of 32…”

Pallacanestro Trieste suffered its second league loss, falling at home to Reyer Venezia, led by Neven Spahija, who was greeted with great affection by the Trieste fans. “Statistically, going 8-for-32 from three-point range hurt us,” said Red-and-White coach Francesco Taccetti. “This is the second game we’ve lost down the stretch in the final possessions, but at the same time, it’s the second game in which we’ve shown that we can compete with anyone.”

“We’ve played against last year’s two finalists—the same two teams that were in the Super Cup final two weeks ago. Even tonight, I think it was a game where, if we had won instead of Venice, it wouldn’t have changed anything in terms of how we’re judged.”

“These are games that come down to details—to two shots that miss or go in. We haven’t always been brilliant on offense, but we faced one of the best defensive teams in the league. I can only say ‘well done’ to my guys and tell them we’re on the right track. We need to keep working and believe that we’re doing the right things.”

“With Abramo Canka, we’re building the confidence that will allow him to stay on the court longer in the future. And that’s what we want to do with Davide Paiano as well.”