There were just four rounds played in Regular Season of ABA League and we can clearly see which teams will fight for top positions and which will try to avoid bottom places. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.
The most interesting game of round 4 was a derby match between two teams from Serbia. The game took place in Subotica where tenth ranked Spartak won against visiting FMP BG (2-2) 93-86. Spartak dominated down low during the game scoring 56 of its points in the paint compared to FMP BG‘s 26. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Rasir Bolton (190-1999, college: Gonzaga, agency: Octagon Europe) who helped to win the game recording 17 points. Center Dusan Miletic (213-1998) contributed with 14 points and 6 rebounds for the winners. Slovenian point guard Matic Rebec (183-1995, agency: SLN) replied with 17 points for FMP BG. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Spartak moved-up to fifth place, which they share with 5 other teams including defeated FMP BG. Spartak is looking forward to face higher ranked Dubai (#4) on the road in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. FMP BG will play against Cibona and is hoping to win this game.
An interesting game for Serbian Partizan (4-0) which played road game in Podgorica against 4th ranked Montenegrin Derby (2-2). Top-ranked Partizan had an easy win 80-60. Worth to mention a great performance of South Sudanese point guard Carlik Jones (185-1997, college: Louisville) who helped to win the game recording 19 points (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) and Gabriel Lundberg who added 13 points during the contest. At the losing side American point guard Erick Neal (178-1995, college: UT Arlington) responded with 10 points and 5 assists. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Partizan have a solid four-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Buducnost and Mega BG. Derby at the other side dropped to the fifth place with two games lost. They share the position with 5 other teams. Partizan will play against Zadar (#11) at home in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Derby will play against Krka (#14) in Novo Mesto and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Slovenian Krka‘s fans can celebrate the first win of their team after three consecutive losses. The victory is especially important as it came on the road game in Zagreb, where they defeated Croatian Cibona (1-3) 81-74 on Wednesday. The winners were led by Miha Cerkvenik who scored that evening 22 points and 8 rebounds. Even 16 points and 7 assists by Anthony Barber did not help to save the game for Cibona. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Krka left bottom position moving up to eleventh place, which they share with 4 other teams including defeated Cibona. Krka will meet at home higher ranked Derby (#6) in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Cibona will play against FMP BG (#7) in Beograd and hope to win that game.
Other games in round 4 were not that significant. Buducnost smashed Zadar on the road 91-55. Crvena zvezda destroyed Igokea on its own court 91-68. Split unfortunately lost to Cedevita Ol. in Ljubljana 74-76. Mega BG rolled over Mornar at home 84-59. Dubai defeated Borac on the opponent’s court 87-74.
Zadar – Buducnost 55-91
No shocking result in a game when top-ranked Montenegrin Buducnost (4-0) crushed on the road 12th ranked Croatian Zadar (1-3) 91-55 on Saturday. Buducnost dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to Zadar‘s 28. They outrebounded Zadar 33-22 including a 28-16 advantage in defensive rebounds. The winners were led by Nigerian-American Rasheed Sulaimon (194-1994, college: Maryland) who scored that evening 17 points and Bosnian center Kenan Kamenjas (207-2000) supported him with 9 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Even 15 points by Montenegrin point guard Vladimir Mihailovic (193-1990) did not help to save the game for Zadar. Lovro Mazalin (204-1997) added 8 points for lost side. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Buducnost have a solid four-game winning streak. Defending Montenegrin champion keeps a position of league leader, which they share with Partizan and Mega BG. Zadar lost third consecutive game. Defending Croatian champion dropped to the eleventh place with three games lost. They share the position with 4 other teams. Buducnost will meet at home Crvena zvezda (#5) in the next round. Zadar will play against Partizan (#3) in Beograd and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Zadar: V.Mihailovic 15+1reb+3ast, K.Klarica 9, L.Mazalin 8+4reb, D.Gilbert 7+3reb, M.Ramljak 6+2reb+1ast, D.Proleta 4+1reb
Buducnost: R.Sulaimon 17+2reb+2ast, N.Tanaskovic 13+1reb+1ast, Y.Ferrell 9+4reb+3ast, M.Wright IV 9+5reb+4ast, K.Kamenjas 9+6reb+4ast, F.Magee 9+1reb
gschID: 1179863
Crvena zvezda – Igokea 91-68
There was a minor upset when higher ranked Bosnian Igokea (2-2) was smashed by thirteenth ranked Serbian Crvena zvezda (2-2) in Beograd 91-68 on Saturday. Crvena zvezda outrebounded Igokea 42-29 including a 15-4 advantage in offensive rebounds. Crvena zvezda looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. The winners were led by American Mike Daum (206-1995, college: S.Dakota St.) who scored that evening 16 points and Brazilian point guard Yago Dos Santos (175-1999) supported him with 11 points. Even 11 points and 7 assists by American point guard Bryce Jones (183-1994, college: Murray St.) did not help to save the game for Igokea. Forward Nikola Maric (207-1998, college: UALR) added 12 points and 8 rebounds for lost side. Four Igokea players scored in double figures. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Defending Serbian champion moved-up to fifth place, which they share with 5 other teams including defeated Igokea. Crvena zvezda will meet league’s leader Buducnost in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Igokea will play against Cedevita Ol. (#9) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Igokea: N.Maric 12+8reb, B.Simanic 12+4reb+1ast, S.Anim 11+1reb+2ast, B.Jones 11+2reb+7ast, S.Gavrilovic 6+4reb, T.Carter II 5+2reb+1ast
Crvena zvezda: M.Daum 16+4reb, I.Canaan 14+1reb+1ast, Y.Dos Santos 11+4reb+3ast, O.Dobric 9+4reb+2ast, J.Bolomboy 8+7reb+1ast, B.Lazic 8+2reb
gschID: 1179864
Cedevita Ol. – Split 76-74
Everything could happen in Ljubljana at the game between two tied teams. Both tenth ranked Slovenian Cedevita Ol. and 8th ranked Croatian Split had identical 1-2 record. This time Cedevita Ol. used a home court advantage and edged the opponent from Split 76-74 on Saturday night. The winners were led by American forward Devin Robinson (203-1995, college: Florida) who scored that evening 20 points and 5 assists and the other American import point guard DeVante Jones (182-1998, college: Michigan) supported him with 11 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. Five Cedevita Ol. players scored in double figures. Cedevita Ol.’s coach used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. Even 20 points by forward David Skara (203-1995, college: Clemson) did not help to save the game for Split. Center Kresimir Ljubicic (210-1998, agency: AltusBasket) added 20 points for lost side. Defending Slovenian champion (2-2) moved-up to fifth place, which they share with 5 other teams. Loser Split dropped to the eleventh position with three games lost. They share it with 4 other teams. Cedevita Ol. will meet Igokea (#10) in the next round where they are favorite. Split will play against the league’s second-placed Mega BG and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Split: K.Ljubicic 20+4reb, D.Skara 20+4reb, V.Kucic 9+2reb+1ast, A.Jordano 9+2reb+1ast, S.Shorter 9+7reb+3ast, T.Vuko 4+1reb
Cedevita Ol.: D.Robinson 20+4reb+5ast, A.Nikolic 17+1reb+3ast, D.Ogbeide 11+8reb, D.Jones 11+7reb+6ast, J.Blazic 10+3reb+2ast, R.Radovic 3+2reb+2ast
gschID: 1179865
Mega BG – Mornar 84-59
Not a big story in a game when bottom-ranked Montenegrin Mornar (0-4) was outscored by top-ranked Serbian Mega BG (4-0) in Beograd 84-59 on Sunday. Mega BG had a 31-20 advantage in offensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. The winners were led by forward Bogoljub Markovic (210-2005) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 17 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists and guard Mihailo Petrovic (190-2003) supported him with 20 points and 4 assists. Four Mega BG players scored in double figures. Even 13 points and 7 rebounds by Croatian swingman Lovre Runjic (197-2000, agency: AltusBasket) did not help to save the game for Mornar. American power forward Jamari Smith (203-2000, college: Murray St.) added 17 points and 6 rebounds for lost side. Mornar’s coach gave up on the game allowing to play ten players seeing no chance for a win. Mega BG have a solid four-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Partizan and Buducnost. Loser Mornar still closes the standings with four games lost. Mega BG will meet Split (#13) on the road in the next round which should be another easy win for them. Mornar will play against Borac and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Mornar: J.Smith 17+6reb, L.Runjic 13+7reb+3ast, J.Bediako 8+1reb, S.Allen 7+1reb+2ast, I.Djokovic 7+1reb+4ast, B.Jenkins 4+1reb+1ast
Mega BG: M.Petrovic 20+4reb+4ast, B.Markovic 17+10reb+4ast, F.Jovic 12+7reb+4ast, T.Malovec 10+7reb+2ast, S.Macura 9+2reb, D.Tanaskovic 6+2reb+1ast
gschID: 1179866
Borac CA – Dubai 74-87
Everything went according to plan when fourth ranked UAE Dubai (3-1) defeated 10th ranked Serbian Borac (1-3) in Cacak 87-74 on Sunday. The winners were led by American point guard Isaiah Taylor (190-1994, college: Texas) who scored that evening 13 points and 6 assists and Serbian guard Danilo Andjusic (195-1991) supported him with 16 points. Four Dubai players scored in double figures. Dubai’s coach used entire bench saving starting five for next games. Even 16 points and 7 rebounds by center Marko Pavicevic (209-2002) did not help to save the game for Borac. Lithuanian guard Paulius Valinskas (191-1995) added 16 points for lost side. Dubai maintains fourth position with 3-1 record. Loser Borac CA dropped to the eleventh place with three games lost. They share the position with 4 other teams. Dubai will meet at home Spartak (#8) in the next round. Borac will play against Mornar in Bar and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Borac CA: P.Valinskas 16+2reb+2ast, M.Pavicevic 16+7reb+1ast, D.Baldwin 10+2reb+3ast, M.Smith 9+2reb, P.Nikolic 7+5reb, N.Manojlovic 6+6reb+1ast
Dubai: D.Andjusic 16+1reb+2ast, A.Abass 15+3reb+1ast, I.Taylor 13+3reb+6ast, D.Bertans 10+5reb+1ast, A.Dwairi 9+7reb, N.Dangubic 7+5reb
gschID: 1179867
Spartak – FMP BG 93-86
The most interesting game of round 4 was a derby match between two teams from Serbia. The game took place in Subotica where tenth ranked Spartak won against visiting FMP BG (2-2) 93-86. Spartak dominated down low during the game scoring 56 of its points in the paint compared to FMP BG‘s 26. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Rasir Bolton (190-1999, college: Gonzaga, agency: Octagon Europe) who helped to win the game recording 17 points. Center Dusan Miletic (213-1998) contributed with 14 points and 6 rebounds for the winners. Slovenian point guard Matic Rebec (183-1995, agency: SLN) replied with 17 points and swingman Vojislav Stojanovic (199-1997) added 13 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists in the effort for FMP BG. Five Spartak and four FMP BG players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Spartak moved-up to fifth place, which they share with 5 other teams including defeated FMP BG. Spartak is looking forward to face higher ranked Dubai (#4) on the road in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. FMP BG will play against Cibona and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
FMP BG: J.Novak 18+4ast, M.Rebec 17+4reb+3ast, V.Stojanovic 13+5reb+4ast, S.Lazarevic 13+8reb+1ast, N.Saranovic 7+3reb+1ast, D.Tasic 6+2reb
Spartak: R.Bolton 17+3reb+3ast, D.Daniels 15+3reb, D.Miletic 14+6reb+2ast, K.Kajami-Keane 14+2reb+5ast, D.Nikolic 11+9reb+1ast, L.Cerovina 9+4reb+3ast
gschID: 1179868
Cibona – Krka 74-81
Slovenian Krka‘s fans can celebrate the first win of their team after three consecutive losses. The victory is especially important as it came on the road game in Zagreb, where they defeated Croatian Cibona (1-3) 81-74 on Wednesday. Krka looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The winners were led by Miha Cerkvenik (201-2001) who scored that evening 22 points and 8 rebounds and American guard Tayler Persons (191-1995, college: Ball St., agency: Players Group) supported him with 13 points and 5 assists. Even 16 points and 7 assists by American point guard Anthony Barber (188-1994, college: NC State) did not help to save the game for Cibona. Nigerian power forward Talib Zanna (206-1990, college: Pittsburgh, agency: Diamond Sports) added 11 points and 6 rebounds for lost side. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Krka left bottom position moving up to eleventh place, which they share with 4 other teams including defeated Cibona. Krka will meet at home higher ranked Derby (#6) in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Cibona will play against FMP BG (#7) in Beograd and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Cibona: A.Barber 16+3reb+7ast, D.Vukovic 11, F.Bundovic 11+1reb+2ast, T.Zanna 11+6reb+1ast, T.Rocak 9+4reb+2ast, P.Jok 7+5reb+2ast
Krka: M.Cerkvenik 22+8reb+3ast, T.Mirtic 13+4reb, T.Persons 13+3reb+5ast, J.Cebasek 9+3reb+2ast, J.Klobucar 7+1reb, Z.Smrekar 4+1ast
gschID: 1179869
Derby – Partizan 60-80
An interesting game for Serbian Partizan (4-0) which played road game in Podgorica against 4th ranked Montenegrin Derby (2-2). Top-ranked Partizan had an easy win 80-60. Worth to mention a great performance of South Sudanese point guard Carlik Jones (185-1997, college: Louisville) who helped to win the game recording 19 points (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) and Danish guard Gabriel Lundberg (193-1994) who added 13 points during the contest. At the losing side American point guard Erick Neal (178-1995, college: UT Arlington) responded with 10 points and 5 assists and Emir Hadzibegovic (204-1996) scored 13 points. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Partizan have a solid four-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Buducnost and Mega BG. Derby at the other side dropped to the fifth place with two games lost. They share the position with 5 other teams. Partizan will play against Zadar (#11) at home in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Derby will play against Krka (#14) in Novo Mesto and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Derby: E.Hadzibegovic 13+4reb, L.Bogavac 10+4reb+1ast, E.Neal 10+3reb+5ast, Z.Nikolic 8+6reb+1ast, I.Drobnjak 8+2reb, D.Mirkovic 4+4reb
Partizan: C.Jones 19+2reb+3ast, G.Lundberg 13+2reb+2ast, B.Davies 10+3reb+2ast, F.Ntilikina 9+2reb+1ast, B.Koprivica 7+5reb, S.Brown 6+2reb+1ast
gschID: 1179870
