The most useful player of the month this time was the representative of Kėdainiai “Nevėžio-Optibet” Amitas Ebo. This is the third time this season that the MVP statuette goes to Kėdainii, as Zane Waterman, the guide of this club, became the most useful player in March and December.
“First of all, it’s great to win two such important games, because we saved our playoff chances. I’m happy about that,” A. Ebo, speaking to LKL.lt, put team success above personal success.
Kėdainiai’s hopes of reaching the playoffs faded at the beginning of the month – they lost to Vilnius “Wolves Twinsbet” and “Šiauliam”. However, two important victories against “CBet” of Jonava and “Neptūnas” of Klaipėda allowed us to enter May with the still real dream of breaking into the top eight.
A. Ebo, who had unparalleled statistics, made a huge contribution to important achievements. The Israeli averaged about 30 minutes on the floor in April, during which he averaged a double-double – 23 points (44% from three), 10.3 assists, 4 rebounds and 27.3 utility points.
“Betsafe-LKL” photo/Amitas Ebo
The average of effective passes was greatly inflated by the defender’s record benefit in the match against Jonavis, when he even successfully assisted his teammates 21 times and predicted a result that has not been improved in Lithuania for almost 30 years (18).
“I was just playing my game and creating for everybody and they were getting shots,” shared the MVP of the month, reminiscing about the impressive night. – They made good blocks, they moved well without the ball, I just had to find them. The coach gave me the confidence to do what I want, play the way I want, and I thanked him so much.”
Last week, Nevēžis-Optibet rested and gradually sharpened their weapons for an extremely intense and deadly section of several meetings. Gediminas Petrauskas army will have three trips from May 2 to 9: to Kaunas, Panevėžys and Telšias.
The Kėdainiai club still needs a miracle – a ticket to the playoffs would only be earned in the scenario where “Nevėžis-Optibet” beats all three opponents, and “CBet” loses in a duel with Utena’s team. Any other option would mean the end of the Kedai season already on May 9.
“We have three very tough games ahead of us, but if we have a chance, we will do everything to take it. We will fight, we will be aggressive, we will do everything we can,” A. Ebo promised not to give up without a fight.
Already the first barrier of this section is almost the hardest to bite – on Wednesday in the “Žalgiris” arena, the people of Kėdaini will try to defeat the Lithuanian champions, who are already calm about the name of the winners of the regular season. How to win against Kaunas in their territory?
“Don’t make many mistakes,” A. Ebo named a clear key indicator. – Against such a team, mistakes are punished. We have to be focused and aggressive because so are they. We have to fight from start to finish. 40 minutes – not 30 or 38-39 minutes. We have 40 minutes to fight.”
Despite the fact that there is still at least a week left for the Kėdainiai team this season, A. Ebo is already leaning towards the decision to stay at the current club next year.
“Kedaiini is a wonderful city. It was a great opportunity for me this year, so I’m thinking about my fate for next season as well. Playing in this league against clubs like Zalgiris, Rytas, Wolves is amazing, it can help me take steps forward. We will see how everything will be next season”, said the basketball player who revealed himself in Kėdainiai.
The legionnaire also said that he is connected to Lithuania not only by basketball, which brought him here, but also by blood ties.
“My grandmother is from Lithuania. That’s all I know. She said that I have relatives here in Kėdainiai, but that is not true, – A. Ebo laughed. “But yes, my grandmother is from here.”
“I hope if I get help,” A. Ebo added about the possibility of seeking a Lithuanian passport.
