Oleksiy Pecherov:
While there is a chance we will fight!

The Ukrainian Azovmash does not let us forget about their success in the last season of VTB United League. The team from Mariupol, which a year ago sensationally got to the Final four, is ready to surprise everyone in the current championship. In a desperate fight for the playoffs in group B Azovmash managed to get ahead. As a result of January matches the Azov lions climbed to the third spot in the group, leaving behind such strong opponents as the Lithuanian Lietuvos Rytas, Russian Lokomotiv-Kuban, Czech Nymburk and Polish Asseco Prokom.

One of the components of this very important result was the game of Oleksiy Pecherov. The Ukrainian forward of Azovmash recovered from injury and showed himself a real leader of the team, scoring decisive balls - like in the victorious match against Lokomotive-Kuban.
About eight points scored during the final minute of the game, formula of sniper success, anti-crisis measures of Azovmash, Mariupol fans and his chances to return to NBA - in Pecherov’s  interview to our web-site.

- The rehabilitation process after injury is going well for you. It was your productive game in the end of the matches that helped Azovmash to win a number of victories.
- I am glad that the recovery process is completed. Generally, the theme of injuries this season is extremely painful for Azovmash. Almost half of the season we are forced to play not in full roster – for this reason there is a series of defeats.

- The latest matches - both in VTB United League championship and in the Ukrainian Superleague - showed that Mariupol Lions are gradually emerging from game crisis.
- The process of our recovery started first of all due to cohesion and team spirit. What should we do when we are forced to go to the court without 4 -3 main players? We need to come together and play - not only for ourselves but for «that guy» too.

- Let's talk about the match with Lokomotive-Kuban, in which the opponent 1.20 minutes before the final siren was leading «+5», but then Oleksiy Pecherov showed his productive game. Your Two accurate three-pointers and two exact free throws helped the team to win!
- It is a pleasure to remember such episodes. I am glad that at difficult times Azovmash found the strength to reverse the outcome of such a difficult match. When you fight during 35 minutes on the court, it is natural that the team wants to finish the match successfully. Last minutes sometimes are the most difficult, but you need to organize yourself and go ahead till the end. I am very pleased that at the critical moment, we showed character and spirit.

- The game with Krasnodar club showed that you are not afraid of taking initiative and making risky throws at crucial moments...
- Why then play basketball if you fear to take the initiative? You go on the court to win, so in certain situations you should risk. In such circumstances and in such rhythm character is hardened, confidence and experience are gained. This is especially important to snipers, such as me.

- But the only confidence is not enough for scoring.
- Of course. Do you know a formula of successful shot? Confidence multiplied by numerous trainings. If you want to be a sniper, you need to hone your “weapon" daily, throwing from different distances with different elements of resistance. And this is the way you can achieve good results.

- Two January victories (over Minsk-2006 and Lokomotiv-Kuban), and failures of competitors allowed Azovmash to take the third place in their group. In your opinion, what are the chances of the team of getting to the playoffs?
- We have no other choice. We lost in the European Cup and now we have to rehabilitate in the remaining competitions. Of course it would be extremely difficult for the team to repeat last year's success of Azovmash in VTB United League, when the team sensationally got to the Final four. The situation in the group is quite complex, but we want to get back to the best clubs of the League. But first we need to get into the play-offs, where everything will start from scratch for Azovmash.

- On February 3 your team is waiting another tough test in VTB United League - away game with the Russian Spartak. Do you remember the meeting with Spartak in the first round, when Azovmash missed a victory at home in a dramatic ending?
- Such defeats are usually remembered quite long – replayed in memory and analyzed. It is particularly insulting, when you lead throughout the match and then lose in the final seconds. It is better to lose with the big score, then you know exactly what you need to work at in the future. But this is - basketball. Today is not lucky, but tomorrow it could be your day! At such moments searching for positive things may be helpful, and there were such positive things in the game with Spartak. Because of staffing constraints, we were forced to play without legionnaires and our Ukrainian players showed themselves very good in the game. I hope that in St. Petersburg, we will be able to show our best basketball and will take a revenge for disappointing defeat in Mariupol.

- How did the team react to resignation of the head coach Aco Petrovic in the middle of the season?
- Everything happened to Azovmash from November 2011 looks like a snowball: at first it was small, but grew up and gained strength every day. An endless series of injuries, resignation of the head coach - all these affected psychological state of the team. The current situation we have repeatedly discussed with players and club management. And we achieved the result. Azovmash play The Latest games in a good rhythm, and I hope that we will continue to show good basketball.

- Now the team is led by Gintaras Krapikasa. Apparently, the Lithuanian specialist does his job well ...
- Gintaras – does well, he a true professional. He headed Azovmash in a very difficult time, but did not collapse. His positive side is that he took a direct part in the formation of the team roster this season. So we quickly understood the coaching philosophy of Krapikas.

- Bosnian center Ratko Varda recently has signed a contract with Azovmash. Did you have time to play with a new partner?
- Of course. I have excellent relationship with all team players. We trust each other, communicate outside the court ... In general, the atmosphere in Azovmash is very good. Perhaps it helped us to overcome the crisis.

- A lot of teams point out a great support that Mariupol fans give to Azovmash. Native tribunes help Azovmash a lot, is not it?
- Certainly! Fans in Mariupol are one of the best and devoted. We felt their support even when our series of losses exceeded 10 matches. It is very difficult to understand why the team, having such players, shows joyless basketball. But our fans remained faithful in this difficult period. We will do our best not to try their patience again (laughs).

- Did you think of returning to NBA?
- Of course (laughs). But I learned to take a realistic view on things. It is very difficult to get to NBA, but to go back there is even more difficult. Of course, I want to play in the best league in the world and there is a chance to make myself known. You need to have exacting requirements to yourself progress - and then everything will become possible!