Local Hoops: Gershon speaks out against Final Four

Maccabi TA coach claims BSL title should be decided in a playoff series and not in two games over three nights.

By ALLON SINAI
Pini Gershon in action 248.88 ap (photo credit: AP [file])
Pini Gershon in action 248.88 ap
(photo credit: AP [file])
Maccabi Tel Aviv coach Pini Gershon attacked the Final Four format on Sunday, claiming the BSL title should be decided in a playoff series and not in two games over three nights. "We're the best team in the country, regardless of what happens in the Final Four, and we proved that in the regular season," Gershon said at a press conference launching the season-ending tournament, which begins on Tuesday with the semifinals. "They could have called the Final Four the league cup because that's what it is." Gershon, who coached Maccabi to the championship in the first Israeli Final Four three seasons ago, is looking to guide Tel Aviv to the league title after the team saw its 14-year championship streak snapped in dramatic fashion by Hapoel Holon last season. Maccabi faces Hapoel Galil/Gilboa on Tuesday night, with Hapoel Jerusalem playing Maccabi Haifa in the first semifinal of the day at the Nokia Arena. "You don't decide a championship in one game," Gershon added. "Four teams from four different parts of the country reached the Final Four and it would have been great if people from all over Israel would have gotten the chance to attend high level games instead of just playing a Final Four in Tel Aviv." BSL chairman Avner Kopel said the league is considering change but not anytime soon. "We brought back the playoffs this year, but we must be patient and see if the other teams can continue to close the gap on Maccabi before we cancel the Final Four," Kopel said.