Maccabi Tel Aviv Remains Grounded After Cup Win, Eyes Improvement

Maccabi Tel Aviv secured a spot in the Winner Cup final with a 88:71 victory over Hapoel Jerusalem, but the team is emphasizing that this win does not signal a complete turnaround. Despite an improved second-half performance, the club's coaching staff and players acknowledge that the team is still in a building phase and has a long way to go to reach its expected level of play. This win comes after three consecutive losses in the EuroLeague.

Jake Layman was highlighted as a key player in the team's comeback, scoring 14 points in the final quarter. Yam Madar, despite a slow start with low shooting percentages, continues to be a player the club believes will become significant. However, the team is still seeking greater contributions from Keton Wallace and is considering adding another guard to bolster shooting capabilities. Daniel Theis, who joined late after the European Championship and suffered an ankle injury, has yet to integrate fully and is again sidelined with sensitivity in the same area, causing disappointment due to his high contract.

"We showed character, but we still have a long way to go," said Roman Sorkin, who urged perspective after the game. He added, "It's a new season with a new team. Very key players have arrived, and it takes time to bring everything together. Clearly, we are not satisfied with the three losses, but we responded as we should have. We showed character, desire, and aggressiveness. We still have a long way to go, and we believe the results will come with the journey."

Hapoel Jerusalem's coach, Sasha Obradovic, conceded his team's inferiority in the second half, admitting that Maccabi deserved the win. "This was our first serious opponent, and when you lose momentum against a team like that, they punish you quickly," he stated, noting his team struggled to match Maccabi's increased intensity.