Martínez: "Everything needs to be improved"

MONTERREY (DIRECTV Liga de las Americas) - Soles de Mexicali seems to have diagrammed their 2017 season in a clear and schematic way, putting all their attention at the tournament ahead.

After debuting at the playoffs with a categorical 3-0 against Indios de Ciudad Juárez in the quarterfinals of the Mexican National League, now the team from Mexicali will focus its attention to the DIRECTV Liga de las Americas, in which the semifinals phase is the immediate challenge.

Soles coach Alejandro Martínez analyzed the reality of the team, the changes made to the squad, but made clear the demands the team will face in Monterrey.

What is the reality of the team for the Semi-Finals of the LDA? Does the good start in the playoffs strengthen the team?
We have some physical problems that we will try to fix for the start of the Semi-Final Phase. We are very excited and we will try to make a good tournament. What we are doing in LNBP I consider it irrelevant, since the LDA is a totally different competition. But if it is true that we try to bring the group together. Once we stopped competing for the playoffs, we will start to think on the LDA. Everything has its time.

The team made changes to the roster with the incorporations of Carter and Robinson. What changed in the team structure and the game plan?
With the arrival of Carter, we cover the need of a more physical presence in the paint and with Robinson we add game experience. With both players, we have improved the squad.

What would you like the team to show in the Semi-Final Phase to up the chances of qualifying?
Everything needs to be improved. We can play better than we did in the previous round. Everyone has to take a step forward to compete as equals against the three rivals.

What analysis do you make of the Semi-Final group along with Fuerza Regia, Guaros and La Unión?
That is a very hard group. Monterrey is the leader of the LNBP, Guaros current champion and also winner of the Intercontinental Cup and La Union, we already saw the excellent level they showed in the first phase. They are three very complicated teams, that we will have to face at a high level if we want to qualify to the Final4.

What would it mean for Soles to qualify to the Final4, like in 2008?
It would be very important, that's why we set ourselves that goal. It would be a push to the club and basketball, both in the city of Mexicali, and all of Mexico.

FIBA