Paternostro hails “exciting” BBL Cup

Leicester Riders coach Rob Paternostro is excited for their BBL Cup opening round clash against Milton Keynes on Saturday.

The Riders have already faced the Lions twice this season, winning 81-73 in the first meeting before losing the return fixture 107-90.

Paternostro said: “The two Milton Keynes games seem like a very long time ago, we feel like we are a different team right now, we have a couple new players but we also have a better understanding of what are strengths are as a basketball team.

“The Cup is an exciting competition, everyone on the floor knows you must win to continue which makes for a fantastic atmosphere for basketball.”

The do-or-die nature of the BBL Cup is also not lost on Lions coach Michael New, who is looking to guide the club to a second cup win in five seasons, following their 2008 triumph.

He said: “The Cup is very important to me, my team and our organization. It’s the only silverware that we have here in MK and we are desperate to return to cup glory.”