PARALYMPICS LONDON 201: Pollock loses third straight final but insists it's all focus on bronze

By Sportsbeat staff, London 2012

JON Pollock admits he's sick of settling for second best on the Paralympic stage - but he's desperate to ensure history repeats itself now that Great Britain must set their sights on bronze rather than gold. 

FUTURE: Jon Pollock is looking ahead to the wheelchair basketball bronze medal match - where Great Britain play the USA - after losing a semi-final to Canada

Pollock, 35, and co were downed 69-53 by the Beijing 2008 silver medallists at the North Greenwich Arena, ensuring they will battle for a third consecutive bronze medal on Saturday - for the third time running against the USA. 

Great Britain remained very much in the game at half-time and trailed by just six points but as has often been the case, the third quarter let them down, leaving the European champions crestfallen, with their hopes of gold in tatters. 

But Pollock, who was part of the team that won bronze in both Athens and Beijing, offered a frank assessment of Great Britain's performance, admitting they were simply not up to scratch on the night. 

"It's a tough lose, especially as we've been here in a semi-final four times is tough, to not get past this for 16 years now is tough and it gets worse every time," he said. 

"But we have to take our hats off to Canada, they've beaten us on the floor and they beaten us on the chalkboard too, we were just outplayed by a better team. 

"We weren't frightened off them at all, it's a rumble in the jungle and I'm ready for it but we were just outclassed.  

"It's the same old story and we let it slip in the third quarter. We have to give credit to them, they are a world class team and they produced a world class performance all across the board.  

"But it's difficult because we've been in this position so often and we were so desperate to go that bit further this time but it wasn't to be." 

As one of the senior figures in the dressing room, Pollock now has the task of regrouping his troops ahead of Saturday's clash with the USA as Great Britain bid to ensure that they find themselves on the podium for the third straight Games. 

And while Pollock is refusing to underestimate the USA, he's convinced that all is not lost despite defeat to Canada. 

"It's going to be hard to regroup and focus again but that's what we've got to do and I've got to use my experience to make sure the players are OK and ready for the USA game," he added.  

"A Paralympic medal at your home Games is still a massive achievement and so that's what we've got to put all of our focus towards now."