The company’s call caught Asier Agirre by surprise. He will take the place of his friend Unai Laso, who has not renewed his contract in the semi-finals of the Doubles Championship. It seemed that Jon Ander Peña would be chosen for this profession, but the Tolosa player has a sore thigh. Aguirre has his first test in Bilbao on Saturday afternoon, accompanied by Albisu, against Jaka and Zabaleta. They have a difficult day in Baikon. Agirre has a contract until December.
-How did you take the call to take Laso’s place?
-I didn’t expect it. It caught me by surprise. In this difficult situation, with what we pelota players are experiencing … Saturday is not an easy match for me. I have a great friend Unai Laso, and I have seen up close what he has experienced. I am gradually assimilating what has suited me. It’s hard, but I’m going to play the best I can. Let’s see if we can win.
-Are you and Unai Laso training members?
-Yes. We work together both physically and technically. We meet every day in training. I would say we spend the whole day together.
-He needed the prize …
-I have tried hard to have such an opportunity in my career. It should be gratifying for me, but I am assimilating what has suited me. I want to mentalize as best I can.
-Did you dream of such an opportunity?
-I train to compete with the best players, I train to get a chance like that. But this is not the best situation. However, it is always nice to be able to play against Zabaleta. He’s one of the best defenders I’ve ever seen and I’m going to play against him for the first time.
-You are a member of a pelota team that is in conflict with Baiko’s management. Does this serious situation affect the gameplay?
-Yes, it does. It is a difficult situation for all players. We want to get out on the court and put the noise aside, just have a game in mind. But you turn it around a lot and it’s hard to concentrate properly. Let’s see if all of this is gradually corrected.
-Have you ever been a rival of Jaka?
-Yes. At the professional level once or a couple of times. When we were children we were members of the same couple at the Belate tournament in Navarre. Then Erik was the actor. He’s a year older than me.
-Have you ever been a friend?
-The day I made my debut with Asegarce, in Labrit. Our opponents were Aimar Olaizola and Ladis Galarza. Later we would form a couple two or three times. The best defender in the company is Jon Ander, with a lot of experience. He has played a lot of games like this.
-Saturday is a difficult commitment at the Bizkaia pelota court.
-Every time he plays, Zabaleta is the favorite.
-Are you in the game?
-I’m fine enough. After a three-month hiatus caused by the health crisis, I had four measurements before the final of the Promotional Doubles Championship. We played it on August 1st in Labrit. Then the company gave me a vacation. I’ve been to court five or six more times since.
-How many times have you participated in the Doubles Promotion Tournament?
-Four times. I’ve only failed once since I made my debut. I was left out of the competition because I was injured. And I reached the final in four participations. I’ve worn two caps and I’ve been a runner-up twice.
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