BBL play-offs: Leicester Riders coach hails players

Leicester Riders coach Rob Paternostro has hailed his players' desire as they chase a hat-trick of British Basketball League titles over Newcastle this term.

The Riders beat Fab Flournoy's Eagles in the cup and to the league championship, and can clinch the treble in Sunday's play-off final at Wembley.

"I'm proud of what we have done since winning the league," Paternostro told BBC Radio Leicester.

"We have continued to fight to get us in this position."

Paternostro, who was named BBL coach of the year earlier this month, added: "It has been unbelievable this season.

"I haven't had a chance to soak it all in this season, because whenever we've done one thing well, whether that is winning the cup or league, there has been something coming up right behind it.

"Win or lose at on Sunday, I will be able to sit back and think about what a wonderful season it has been.

"A lot of coaches like to say that they love working with their players, but this is a very special group and I think we will be bonded together forever because of it.

"No matter what we do, or where we go in life, this will be part of us."

The Riders booked a play-off final rematch with Newcastle after overcoming Plymouth 156-126 on aggregate in the semi-finals.

Last season the Eagles complete a clean sweep of all four BBL titles with a nine-point over against the East Midlands club in the play-off final, but Paternostro dismissed any notion that revenge would be used as motivation.

"That does mean a thing to this game - these are two different teams," he said.