Antonio Pernas: “It was a great pleasure to watch Ensino play throughout the year”

Talking to Antonio Pernas (Madrid, 1978) is a real pleasure. He always has a smile to give and an optimistic speech, no matter how dark the sports horizon is. She is 100% confident in her abilities and has so much energy that she is able to distribute it among all her players, which she showed in her first season at the helm of Durán Maquinaria Ensino. The team from Lugo not only won the advantage in the most difficult moments, but also remained at the door of the playoffs for the title in the women’s Endesa league.

“The course is over. What final grade does the team deserve?

— For effort, dynamism, hard work, renunciation and other things, I would say 9.5. I leave that half point because 10 seems a bit excessive, ha ha ha. With all the setbacks we suffered, I can assure you that we bordered on epic.

“They spent a good part of the season looking down.

— It was a very difficult year due to various circumstances, and in addition, the level of the league’s demands was brutal. It’s normal that we had to look down for so long. Our goal was durability. A lot of teams had bigger budgets than us, and some teams that were lower down the ladder had double or even triple the budget, which is another reason why I think there’s more credit to our results than meets the eye.

— They signed Blanca Millán and Paula Ginzo, leaders of Galician basketball, and several players from the university league in the United States. Fans might have expected a little more.

—Half of the team was completely inexperienced in the Endesa League, and other players, like Blanca Millán or Paula Ginzo, never had the leadership role they should have had in this team. I don’t know what the expectations were, but our main goal from the first day was to save ourselves. We have clearly committed ourselves to the youth and I must say that it has been a great pleasure to watch these girls play throughout the year.

—In normal conditions, without so many drops and with Blanco Millán until the end of the league, how far could they go?

— Maybe we would win a few more games, who knows, but it’s a bit unfair to hide behind this. It’s a pleasure to see how your teammates reacted.

—If you had to vote for the ennisista MVP, Alba Prieto would win by an absolute majority, right?

— I don’t like individual awards. If we talk about progression, she would be the winner without a doubt as she tripled her numbers. And also, everything that contributes off the field.

— He singled you out as one of those responsible for his pronounced evolution.

“That’s because he likes me a lot, ha ha ha.” We have been together for three years and we have always understood each other very, very well. His departure is a great loss for the club.

— Everything says that he will sign for IDK. It doesn’t seem like a step forward.

– I wish I wanted to continue, but I think it’s about new challenges and incentives.

— Paula Ginzo is another player who has or will have proposals for a change of air.

— He always had them, even from a team with higher aspirations, but he is comfortable in the club and close to his family, although I wouldn’t be surprised if he followed in Alba’s footsteps.

“He won’t shy away from talking about his future.” At what stage are the negotiations for its restoration?

– I would like to stay to consolidate everything we have done this season, and if the club draws a line of continuity and values ​​all the work we have done, I suppose there will be no problem.

— What are the chances that he will continue in Lugo?

It depends on the club. From my side, they are 100%.

Have you been offered a date?

—Yes, I got some during the competition, but my first option was always to listen to Ensino first. I believe that we understand each other and that we don’t have to look elsewhere.

— Have you set any condition for its continuity?

— If I feel comfortable in my place and sports motivation fills me, I don’t need more. Of course I would like to bring back many of the players from my first season, but I am also aware of the financial constraints the club suffers from.

“I bet on Perfumerías Avenida as a champion”

After the end of the regular season, the decisive playoffs for the title begin this weekend, with Valencia, Girona and Perfumerías the main favourites.

“Do you dare cheer?”

– Come on, let’s get on with it.

— playoff quarterfinals. Students-Valencia.

“This one is easy. Valencia.

—Barcelona-Spar Girona.

— I trust the experience of the team from Girona.

— Avenue Cadi La Seu-Perfumeries.

— Avenida perfumeries must show that they want the title.

— Lointek Gernika-Casademont Zaragoza.

—Apriori, the most open tie. I am betting on a good game and the potential of Zaragoza.

Let’s go with their semi-finals. Valencia-Zaragoza.

– I will say that Valencia won because otherwise it would be a bit disastrous.

— Avenue Girona-Parfumeries. It’s more difficult here.

– Big playoff. For the dynamics of the end of the season, I’m betting on Perfumeries.

— Its end would be Valencia-Perfumerías Avenida. Who do you see lifting the title?

— Uff, if I get all this right, I’ll get dinner, won’t I?, ha, ha, ha. I’m betting on Perfumerías Avenida as the champion.

-Last. Who is your candidate for the MVP of this ‘play off’ for the title?

—I would bet on Maite Cazorla or… I don’t know, there are many very good players in the fight. I stayed with Maite Cazorla, come on.