2023-09-26 17:41:45
He started playing basketball at Vilafant, when he went to school in Figueres and lived in Vilabertran. At the age of 12-13 he made the jump to CEB Girona and from there he signed for the current Básquet Girona. Last season he combined the EBA team with Girona C which was promoted to Copa Catalunya. This summer he did the pre-season with Básquet Girona, which gave him the opportunity to make his ACB debut on Saturday. His place, however, is at Tecnocasa Salt, of the EBA league, linked to Gasol’s club.
What does it mean to be added to the list of Girona players who have played in the ACB like Darnés, Sàbat, Espinosa, Martí Serra or Èric Vila?
It’s something very special for me, I’m very proud of it. In the end you start playing and you can’t imagine that you can get there, here. But little by little, with the work of the years, this dream has been getting closer. I didn’t think I’d be here this year. My team is Salt of the EBA league. But we started the pre-season and every week they told me to stay one more week. Now I combine the mornings with the ACB team with those of Salt. Last weekend I had my debut in Valencia and also the next day I played with Salt a Mollet in the Catalan League.
It is the first Girona product from the base to reach the top. Does it give you more responsibility?
No, I don’t feel that way. I don’t think too much about it. I try not to put too much pressure on myself and just enjoy the day to day.
What did Salva Camps tell him before making his debut?
He shouted at me to come out quickly, he was coming in already. In the dressing room I have always been treated like an extra. I had played a few minutes in the pre-season and for me it was already a prize to be called up to Valencia. He thought that since it was a league game, he would not have options to play. And instead, I debuted. It was the last minute of the first quarter, and if I remember correctly I replaced Maxi (Fjellerup). Everything went very quickly. Now, although I don’t think too much about it, I would also like to have the opportunity in Fontajau.
Did Albert Sàbat give you any advice?
That he enjoys the moment, that he learns from everything that happens on a day-to-day basis in training and from the technical staff. That 20 years ago he was in the same situation as I am now.
Did Marc Gasol congratulate him on his debut?
Yes, he came into the dressing room and congratulated me at the end of the game.
I imagine the bus must have been a party, on the way back.
Everyone was very happy, and I, you can imagine, because in the end it wasn’t just because we made our debut, but we had won at La Fonteta against a Euroleague rival. I received congratulations from the staff and colleagues. They received me very well, as if I were another person, although due to the question of language I have more contact with the nationals or those who speak Spanish such as Fjellerup or Marcos.
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???? He is the first to do it with the first team in the highest category ????
???? Congratulations, Pau! ❤️???? pic.twitter.com/YUNcIK6Xv1
— Basketball Girona (@BasquetGirona) September 24, 2023
Despite not experiencing the previous stage, what does it mean for Girona to have ACB basketball again?
It was very important to return to the elite after what happened. They told me that the old club disappeared. It is special and comforting that the city is enjoying the ACB league again. Girona is a football city, now, but also a basketball city.
How do you define yourself as a player?
I am a 1-2 with the versatility to be able to combine the two positions, base and escort, always playing for the team and teammates, looking for free kicks for them and organizing the game.
How do you combine basketball with studies?
I study a higher degree in Food Industry in Olot. Last year I used to go there every day, now I can follow him semi-presently, from home, and only go up for the exams. Both at home and at the club they have always made it clear to me that the priority must be studies.
Has the victory in Valencia boosted the team’s self-esteem? How do you see it?
I see him very well in the team, both physically and tactically. We are a blog that wants to run a lot. We have worked very hard for a month and a half, in the pre-season, and we will see the results. The main objective must be to consolidate in the ACB and, from there, whatever comes.
#proud #people #Girona #debut #ACB