The day after his signing, center Alberto Polo introduced himself by giving his first interview as a player for Cucine Lube Civitanova. Back on top thanks to his excellent performances with Sonepar Padova after a four-year layoff, the player is thrilled to return to the Marche region, where in 2014/15 he won the Serie A2 playoffs with B-Chem Potenza Picena.
In your greeting to the fans, you spoke of joining Lube as a personal redemption. You’ve already shown in Padua that you’ve returned to your best form after your suspension. How have you maintained this solidity?
Polo: “There are many aspects of that difficult period I’ve never talked about. I got help and found the mental balance to cope. The process of awareness is now an added resource in my approach to the court and to life. The athletic aspect is a different story, but even there, tenacity has helped me. In my daily life, I’ve achieved an enviable serenity. I’d be lying if I said it doesn’t pain me to think about the missed opportunities!”
We’re on the eve of this new adventure, and you can look forward to the future. What strengths will you bring to Lube’s ambitions?
“In teams that aim high, the details make the difference. Even an extra 1% can lead to victory. Today, I feel more complete in my vision of the game, my ability to read the setters, and my attention to detail.”
Lube has participated in eight of the last nine Scudetto finals. Is staying at the top possible?
“At the starting line, every team starts side by side, and the transfer market is in full swing. The expectations of the red and white fans are as high as ever, and we will be very competitive. Perugia is currently ahead of the rest because they’ve found consistent results, but we’ll fight until the end, and Trento will also be a threat. For me, the Super League has leveled out. Compared to the past, many clubs can compete for important results.”
How did you experience the matches against Lube last season?
“At the Kioene Arena, it was a very close match, with Padua ultimately winning. This reflects the trend of a more balanced Super League, where any team can cause problems for the big teams. Lube’s ups and downs in the Regular Season were offset by their growth in the Scudetto Playoffs!”
