Wildcats Ready to Bounce Back
The Perth Wildcats have quickly shifted their focus to Saturday night’s do-or-die Play-In Game at RAC Arena, determined to respond and keep their NBL26 championship hopes alive.
Head Coach John Rillie acknowledged South East Melbourne’s strong performance but said with their season now on the line, the equation is clear heading into Saturday night.
“We know what’s in front of us now. We’ve got to win to keep moving forward,” Rillie said.
“We’ll have a new opponent with a different style of play, so now it’s about adjusting and preparing for who we’ve got on Saturday.”
Wildcats captain Jesse Wagstaff echoed that sentiment, confident the group can bounce back as they have throughout the season.
“Southeast 100% deserved that game, but that’s also why you play the regular season, to give yourself another chance,” Wagstaff said.
“We’ve bounced back reasonably well throughout the year, so hopefully we can do it again and stay alive.”
Returning to RAC Arena also provides the Wildcats with the opportunity to lean on the support of the Red Army.
“You play the regular season to give yourself that second chance and to have it at home,” Wagstaff said.
“At the end of the day it’s playoff basketball. It’s going to be a grind and we’re playing for our lives now.”
“We need everyone to show up on Saturday.”
The Perth Wildcats return home to RAC Arena on Saturday to face the winner of Melbourne United vs Tasmania JackJumpers in a do or die clash, with the game scheduled for a 5pm tip-off.
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