TUR - Ataman upbeat after Efes win to avoid elimination

ISTANBUL (Beko Basketbol Ligi) - Coach Ergin Ataman and his Efes Pilsen players stayed alive in the Turkish play-off finals by winning Game 5 against Fenerbahce Ulker on Sunday.

Efes, who finished first during the regular season, won 83-79 despite the absence of Bootsy Thornton and Turkey international Kerem Tunceri.

Igor Rakocevic led the way with 23 points

“We’ve had two important injuries during the series,” Ataman said.

“One is Bootsy Thornton and the other is Kerem Tunceri.

“Both are very important players for our team.

“But we will continue our fight with the other players.”

Looking back at the contest, Ataman didn’t have any complaints.

“I think that we played good basketball,” he said.

“We were the better side in this one. We controlled the game.

“Our 46 points during the first half showed that our game plan was good and working.”

The team got a boost from Rakocevic, and another of their Turkey national team guards, Ender Arslan.

“Igor Rakocevic and Ender Arslan give us strength for offense,” Ataman said.

“Our limited rotation in the roster challenges us to meet the toughness and high tempo of the game.

“For this reason, we sometimes we are close to passing up opportunities but in these moments, Ermal Kurtoglu gave us an important help.”

Kurtoglu was one of the inspirational figures in Turkey’s surprise run to the 2006 FIBA World Championship Quarter-Finals.

“We controlled the end of the game better than our rival and we won like we have planned before.

“We lost last two games because of our mistakes.”

He then warned: “We will not give the trophy to Fenerbahce Ulker.”

Turkey national team guard Omer Onan of Fener had 18 points.

FIBA