Ryga Coach Žibėnas Points to Foundational Errors After Loss, Praises Former Player Pleikys
VILNIUS – Ryga coach G. Žibėnas attributed his team’s defensive struggles in a recent game to basic errors made in the initial stages of their defensive plan, stating that mistakes at this level are exceedingly tough to correct later in the game. “In the first phase we were fluid and soft. If you make a mistake in the first phase, it is very difficult to cover it up later,” Žibėnas explained.
The coach emphasized that the defensive issues stemmed from a failure to execute basic principles, specifically in the initial defensive barriers. “When the ball goes to the penalty area, we have to think about how to defend there as well. But today we had to do everything better already at the first barrier – how we hang on the opponent’s shoulder, how we leave the barriers, what good hands should be. This was not the case today,” he said. The loss highlights the importance of consistent execution of foundational strategies in competitive basketball, and the challenges teams face when these fundamentals break down.
Despite the team’s defensive shortcomings, Žibėnas offered praise for Oskaras Pleikys, a former Ryga student who scored 23 points in 36 minutes (8/9 doubles, 2/4 triples, 1/1 penalty), with 4 rebounds and 2 assists, accumulating 25 utility points.
“Everything is fine – he feels very good here, he is being used well. Especially now, when there is no such rotation, they will play 35 minutes and score every shot. Of course, anyone woudl have scored against us with such a defense. But in no way do we write off Oskar’s skill. He shows his potential and we are happy to see him after such a season and shining bright colors,” Žibėnas concluded.The coach’s comments acknowledge Pleikys’s performance while concurrently underscoring the extent of Ryga’s defensive vulnerabilities.