Hapoel Galil Elyon defeated Maccabi Ramat Gan 99-82 on the road Wednesday night at Zysman Hall in a Winner Cup game, setting up a Saturday night showdown with Hapoel HaEmek for a direct berth in the quarterfinals. Ramat Gan will compete in the placement games.

The star was Itay Moskovich, who returned to Galil Elyon for a second stint and erupted for 19 points on 2-of-2 shooting from two-point range and 5-of-6 from three, adding three rebounds and five assists for a 22 efficiency rating. After the game, the 26-year-old guard spoke with The Sports Rabbi.

“I think this is just the beginning. It’s the first game,” Moskovich said. “From the first moment, I felt a good connection with the team and there are good vibes. I’m happy with the game, but this really is just the first step. More importantly, we need to continue developing as a team, be consistent every game and compete against every team.”

Moskovich broke through in the Israeli Premier League with Galil Elyon between 2021 and 2023 and is now reunited with head coach Idan Avshalom, whom he has known for years from their time together at Elitzur Netanya.

“I’ve known Idan for a long time, so we have a good relationship. It’s always fun being around him every day and we have a good connection. Galil is a special place. I’m really happy there. It’s very family-oriented and community-based. I love the quiet and the calm, and I’m really enjoying it there.”

Galil also featured young Israeli talents Rani Belaga and Ariel Sela, giving Moskovich a new role as one of the team’s veterans, “If you don’t count Maurice [Kemp], I’m the oldest player on the team,” he said with a laugh. “It’s a different role that I haven’t had in my career before. Suddenly I’m the veteran, giving advice, directing and teaching. But these guys are really professional. They want to learn, they work hard, and I feel younger around them. I’m really enjoying being with them.”

Moskovich said his primary personal goal is consistency, while hoping Galil can reach the playoffs, “I really want us to make the playoffs and I really believe in this team, but we have to take it game by game and stay healthy. This league is long and a lot of things happen, so there’s no need to make declarations. Personally, I want to be consistent, show up every game, do what I need to do, be significant and be a leader. I want to look back at the end of the year and say, ‘I really enjoyed this season and I did everything I could to be good and to help the team be good.’”

The season represents an important opportunity for Moskovich after limited playing time with Ironi Nes Ziona last year and Netanya’s relegation the season before, “I really miss being on winning teams and having that feeling where you come in week after week, win, feel good and improve,” he said. “I had less of that over the last two years, so it was more difficult for me. I feel that I’ve really matured and I truly feel that I should and can be in a better place than where I am now. I believe everything happens for a reason, and I hope I can fulfill my potential and achieve all the dreams I have in basketball.”

Moskovich, who was named Israeli Most Improved Player in 2022/23 and made his Israel national team debut that season, also has his sights on a return to the national team, “The national team is always a dream. I look at the windows and I’m genuinely jealous of every player who is there. But I’m not looking that far ahead. It’s important for me to focus on every game and show up every night. I’m not getting excited about one good game. I know what I’m capable of and for me, showing up night after night is the test.”

Galil Elyon scorers: Alston Mason 22, Kemp 17, Nate Kingz 11, Maccabi Ramat Gan scorers: Ahmad Caver 15, Bryce Washington and L.J. Figueroa 14 each.