Perth Wildcats captain Jesse Wagstaff can’t wait for the pressure of deciding semifinal game against Melbourne

[Pelican Press 0]

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up

Perth Wildcats captain Jesse Wagstaff can’t wait for the pressure of deciding semifinal game against Melbourne

Perth Wildcats captain Jesse Wagstaff has declared his team is ready for the pressure of game three of a semifinal series, saying the chance to compete in Tuesday night’s clash against Melbourne United is why everyone plays.

The Wildcats levelled the best-of-three series with a pulsating comeback at RAC Arena on Saturday night, fighting back from 20 points down to win 96-89. It was the first time Perth had beaten Melbourne this season and they must repeat that effort to advance to the grand final.

Wagstaff, who has won six NBL championships, said the match would be won by the team that executes under extreme pressure and his team can’t wait for the high stakes game.

“This is one game and everything is on the table for this one game. You win and you go on. You lose and you go home. It’s all or nothing on Tuesday,” Wagstaff said.

Camera IconPerth Wildcats captain Jesse Wagstaff. Credit: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

“The fact of the matter is it is one game and 40 minutes separates us from a grand final series or going home and season over. That’s the same situation for them and same situation for us.

“It’s exciting. This is why you play basketball. It is an exciting time of year when all the biccies are up for grabs. It’s the pointy end of the season. The game is a bit faster, the crowd is a bit louder and there’s more on the line. It is why you play.”

The Wildcats are accustomed to five-time NBL MVP Bryce Cotton stepping up and winning games for them. But with United putting an extreme focus on him, Dylan Windler and Kristian Doolittle seized their moments on Saturday. Ben Henshall also did a brilliant job of stopping Chris Goulding and **** Webster’s energy was crucial.

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up

Wagstaff said the Wildcats’ depth meant they don’t have to rely on Cotton to be their only match winner. He said if United put all of their attention on stopping Cotton again, his squad had plenty of talent waiting for the chance to shine.

“We’ve certainly got some phenomenal players around him,” Wagstaff said.

“Just like Melbourne, they’ve got Chris Goulding who went for 40-something in the first game but they’ve also got a very, very, very good cast around him as well. With BC getting so much attention, it may provide opportunity like it did on Saturday night for a guy like Dylan or KP or Kristian. We’ve certainly got some very good players around BC as well.”

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up

#Perth #Wildcats #captain #Jesse #Wagstaff #wait #pressure #deciding #semifinal #game #Melbourne

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up