After 5 rounds played we can already see who rules in the ABA League and who belongs to weaker ones. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.
The most surprising game was the first loss of undefeated Serbian Mega BG (4-1) on the court of thirteenth ranked Croatian Split on Saturday night. Visitors were defeated by Split 90-80. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Mega BG. Split looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. American Shannon Shorter (193-1989, college: N.Texas) stepped up and scored 22 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners and forward David Skara (203-1995, college: Clemson) chipped in 19 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists. Forward Bogoljub Markovic (210-2005) responded with a double-double by scoring 18 points, 17 rebounds and 4 assists. Mega BG’s coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn’t help. Split (2-3) moved-up to eighth place, which they share with 5 other teams. Mega BG at the other side keeps the second position with one game lost. They share it with Buducnost and Dubai. Split is looking forward to face Borac (#8) in Cacak in the next round. Mega BG will play at home against Igokea (#7) and is hoping to win this game.
Important game to mention about took place in Podgorica. Seventh ranked Serbian Crvena zvezda (3-2) saved a 2-point victory on the road edging second-ranked Montenegrin Buducnost (4-1) 75-73 on Monday evening. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Buducnost. Nemanja Nedovic (192-1991) nailed 24 points (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field) for the winning side and Codi Miller-McIntyre accounted for 13 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists. American point guard McKinley Wright IV (182-1998, college: Colorado) came up with 20 points and 7 assists for Buducnost in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Defending Serbian champion moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Igokea and FMP BG. Defending Montenegrin champion Buducnost keeps the second position with one game lost. They share it with Mega BG and Dubai. Crvena zvezda will play against Zadar (#14) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Buducnost will play against Cedevita Ol. (#9) in Ljubljana and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Bottom-ranked Montenegrin Mornar (0-5) is still winless. This time they could not use their home court advantage losing their fifth consecutive match to eleventh ranked Serbian Borac (2-3) 98-90 on Saturday evening. The best player for the winners was Marko Josilo who had a double-double by scoring 22 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists. Branden Jenkins produced 22 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists for the hosts. Borac moved-up to eighth place, which they share with 5 other teams. Loser Mornar still closes the standings with five games lost. Borac will meet at home Split (#11) in the next round. Mornar will play against Spartak (#13) in Subotica and hopes to get finally their first victory.
There were no shocking results in the rest of the games of round 5: Partizan won against Zadar on the opponent’s court 75-71. Krka managed to outperform Derby in a home game 97-91. Cibona recorded a loss to FMP BG on the road 89-84. Dubai defeated Spartak on its own court 80-79. Cedevita Ol. was beaten by Igokea in Aleksandrovac 91-78.
Zadar – Partizan 71-75
Very expected game when 14th ranked Croatian Zadar (1-4) was defeated at home by leader Serbian Partizan (5-0) 75-71 on Sunday. The best player for the winners was German Isaac Bonga (204-1999) who scored 16 points and 5 rebounds. South Sudanese point guard Carlik Jones (185-1997, college: Louisville) chipped in 14 points. Four Partizan players scored in double figures. Partizan’s coach used an eleven-player rotation in such tough game. Montenegrin point guard Vladimir Mihailovic (193-1990) produced 29 points and Bosnian swingman Amar Gegic (200-1998, agency: Octagon Europe) added 14 points and 5 rebounds respectively for the hosts. Partizan have an impressive series of five victories in a row. They keep a position of league leader. Zadar lost fourth consecutive game. Defending Croatian champion keeps the fourteenth place with four games lost. They share the position with Cibona. Partizan will meet at home Krka (#12) in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Zadar will play against Crvena zvezda and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Partizan: I.Bonga 16+5reb+1ast, C.Jones 14+4reb+2ast, B.Koprivica 11+7reb+1ast, F.Ntilikina 10+1reb+1ast, S.Brown 9+3ast, M.Nakic 4+1reb+1ast
Zadar: V.Mihailovic 29+2reb, A.Gegic 14+5reb, L.Mazalin 7+4reb+4ast, K.Klarica 6, M.Ramljak 6+9reb+1ast, K.Zganec 5+7reb+4ast
gschID: 1179871
Krka – Derby 97-91
There was a surprise result in Novo Mesto where thirteenth ranked Slovenian Krka (2-3) defeated higher ranked Montenegrin Derby (2-3) 97-91 on Sunday. Krka shot 60.7 percent from the field and made 17-of-20 free shots (85.0 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The best player for the winners was Spanish Marc Garcia (197-1996, agency: Slash Sports) who scored 19 points. Tibor Mirtic (202-2003) chipped in 13 points. Center Zoran Nikolic (212-1996) produced 21 points and 6 rebounds (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field) and American point guard Erick Neal (178-1995, college: UT Arlington) added 19 points respectively for the guests. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Krka moved-up to eighth place, which they share with 5 other teams including defeated Derby. Krka will meet league’s leader Partizan in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Derby will play against FMP BG (#6) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Krka: M.Garcia 19+2reb, T.Mirtic 13+4reb+3ast, M.Cerkvenik 13+3reb+1ast, B.Skeens 10+3reb+3ast, N.Bacvic 10+2reb+4ast, J.Klobucar 10+3reb
Derby: Z.Nikolic 21+6reb+2ast, E.Neal 19+2reb+2ast, I.Drobnjak 13+3reb+3ast, L.Bogavac 12+2reb+5ast, D.Mirkovic 10+2reb, Z.Vuceljic 7+4reb+1ast
gschID: 1179872
FMP BG – Cibona 89-84
Not a big story in a game in Beograd where 15th ranked Croatian Cibona (1-4) was defeated by ninth ranked Serbian FMP BG (3-2) 89-84 on Friday. However just five-point win is not that big difference and the fans of host team counted on more convincing victory. FMP BG made 22-of-26 free shots (84.6 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. The best player for the winners was Slovenian point guard Matic Rebec (183-1995, agency: SLN) who scored 23 points and 6 assists. Swingman Stefan Lazarevic (198-1996) chipped in 21 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals. FMP BG’s coach used an eleven-player rotation in such tough game. Power forward Filip Bundovic (206-1994) produced 26 points and 5 rebounds (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line) and Swiss-Croatian forward Toni Rocak (206-1999, college: USF) added 13 points and 8 rebounds respectively for the guests. FMP BG moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Crvena zvezda and Igokea. Cibona lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the fourteenth position with four games lost. They share it with Zadar. FMP BG will meet Derby (#10) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Cibona will play against Dubai (#4) and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
FMP BG: M.Rebec 23+3reb+6ast, S.Lazarevic 21+6reb+4ast, O.Kuzmic 15+3reb+1ast, N.Saranovic 8+3reb+2ast, F.Barna 7+1reb+3ast, D.Radosavljevic 6+5reb
Cibona: F.Bundovic 26+5reb+2ast, S.Smajlagic 16+4reb+1ast, T.Rocak 13+8reb+2ast, B.Katanovic 9+1reb+1ast, I.Perasovic 5+1reb+2ast, D.Vukovic 5+3reb+4ast
gschID: 1179873
Dubai – Spartak 80-79
Everything went according to plan when fourth ranked UAE Dubai (4-1) edged at home 9th ranked Serbian Spartak (2-3) 80-79 on Sunday. However just one-point win is not that big difference and the fans of host team counted on more convincing victory. The best player for the winners was American point guard Isaiah Taylor (190-1994, college: Texas) who scored 15 points and 6 assists. Latvian Davis Bertans (208-1992) chipped in 17 points (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field). Canadian point guard Kaza Kajami-Keane (185-1994, college: Carleton) produced 16 points and 4 assists and American guard Rasir Bolton (190-1999, college: Gonzaga, agency: Octagon Europe) added 14 points respectively for the guests. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Dubai moved-up to second place, which they share with Buducnost and Mega BG. Loser Spartak dropped to the eighth position with three games lost. They share it with 5 other teams. Dubai will meet Cibona (#15) in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Spartak will play against Mornar (#16) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Dubai: D.Bertans 17+2reb, I.Taylor 15+1reb+6ast, J.Williams 14+2reb+1ast, D.Andjusic 11+1reb+1ast, A.Dwairi 9+7reb+1ast, A.Abass 6+7reb+1ast
Spartak: K.Kajami-Keane 16+4reb+4ast, R.Bolton 14+4reb+2ast, D.Nikolic 10+8reb+1ast, S.Momirov 10+1reb+1ast, L.Cerovina 9+4reb+2ast, V.Medarevic 6+5reb
gschID: 1179874
Mornar – Borac CA 90-98
Bottom-ranked Montenegrin Mornar (0-5) is still winless. This time they could not use their home court advantage losing their fifth consecutive match to eleventh ranked Serbian Borac (2-3) 98-90 on Saturday evening. Borac outrebounded Mornar 49-33 including a 39-28 advantage in defensive rebounds. Borac looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. The best player for the winners was Bosnian-Serbian forward Marko Josilo (200-1992) who had a double-double by scoring 22 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists. Center Djordje Gagic (210-1990) chipped in 13 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists. American swingman Branden Jenkins (196-1994, college: TxWes, agency: AltusBasket) produced 22 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists and Croatian swingman Lovre Runjic (197-2000, agency: AltusBasket) added 17 points respectively for the hosts. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Borac moved-up to eighth place, which they share with 5 other teams. Loser Mornar still closes the standings with five games lost. Borac will meet at home Split (#11) in the next round. Mornar will play against Spartak (#13) in Subotica and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Borac CA: M.Josilo 22+11reb+5ast, D.Baldwin 14+8reb+5ast, D.Gagic 13+9reb+6ast, P.Nikolic 13+3reb+1ast, N.Manojlovic 13+9reb+1ast, M.Pavicevic 10+4reb+1ast
Mornar: B.Jenkins 22+6reb+4ast, L.Runjic 17+2reb+1ast, J.Bediako 12+5reb+1ast, J.Smith 11+7reb, I.Djokovic 10+3reb+3ast, L.Buljevic 9+3reb+1ast
gschID: 1179875
Split – Mega BG 90-80
The most surprising game was the first loss of undefeated Serbian Mega BG (4-1) on the court of thirteenth ranked Croatian Split on Saturday night. Visitors were defeated by Split 90-80. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Mega BG. Split looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. American Shannon Shorter (193-1989, college: N.Texas) stepped up and scored 22 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners and forward David Skara (203-1995, college: Clemson) chipped in 19 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists. Forward Bogoljub Markovic (210-2005) responded with a double-double by scoring 18 points, 17 rebounds and 4 assists and Bosnian guard Kosta Kondic (193-2001) scored 19 points. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Mega BG’s coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn’t help. Split (2-3) moved-up to eighth place, which they share with 5 other teams. Mega BG at the other side keeps the second position with one game lost. They share it with Buducnost and Dubai. Split is looking forward to face Borac (#8) in Cacak in the next round. Mega BG will play at home against Igokea (#7) and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Split: S.Shorter 22+8reb+5ast, D.Skara 19+9reb+4ast, A.Jordano 14+1reb+2ast, V.Kucic 13+2reb+1ast, B.Kapusta 12+1reb+4ast, K.Ljubicic 7+5reb+4ast
Mega BG: K.Kondic 19+4reb, B.Markovic 18+17reb+4ast, F.Jovic 12+4reb+1ast, M.Petrovic 11+1reb+8ast, J.Kayil 8+2ast, A.Jelavic 8+1reb+2ast
gschID: 1179876
Igokea – Cedevita Ol. 91-78
Everything could happen in Aleksandrovac at the game between two tied teams. Both tenth ranked Bosnian Igokea and 9th ranked Slovenian Cedevita Ol. had identical 2-2 record. This time Igokea used a home court advantage and defeated the opponent from Ljubljana 91-78 on Friday night. Igokea made 20-of-21 free shots (95.2 percent) during the game. The best player for the winners was American point guard Bryce Jones (183-1994, college: Murray St.) who scored 20 points and 9 assists (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line). Serbian Borisa Simanic (210-1998) chipped in 22 points and 6 rebounds. Jones is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top summer league for players who want to play basketball overseas. American forward Devin Robinson (203-1995, college: Florida) produced 19 points and 5 rebounds and Rok Radovic (199-2001) added 12 points and 6 rebounds respectively for the guests. Four Cedevita Ol. players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Defending Bosnian champion (3-2) moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Crvena zvezda and FMP BG. Defending Slovenian champion Cedevita Ol. dropped to the eighth position with three games lost. They share it with 5 other teams. Igokea will meet league’s second-placed Mega BG in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Cedevita Ol. will play against Buducnost (#3) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Igokea: B.Simanic 22+6reb, B.Jones 20+1reb+9ast, D.Milosavljevic 12+3reb+1ast, S.Anim 9+1reb+2ast, T.Carter II 8, O.Stankovic 4+1reb
Cedevita Ol.: D.Robinson 19+5reb+2ast, G.Glas 13+1ast, R.Radovic 12+6reb+1ast, A.Nikolic 10+1reb+2ast, J.Blazic 7+2reb+2ast, Z.Daneu 5+6reb+2ast
gschID: 1179877
Buducnost – Crvena zvezda 73-75
Important game to mention about took place in Podgorica. Seventh ranked Serbian Crvena zvezda (3-2) saved a 2-point victory on the road edging second-ranked Montenegrin Buducnost (4-1) 75-73 on Monday evening. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Buducnost. Nemanja Nedovic (192-1991) nailed 24 points (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field) for the winning side and American-Bulgarian point guard Codi Miller-McIntyre (191-1994, college: Wake Forest) accounted for 13 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists. American point guard McKinley Wright IV (182-1998, college: Colorado) came up with 20 points and 7 assists and Bosnian center Kenan Kamenjas (207-2000) added 6 points and 11 rebounds respectively for Buducnost in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Defending Serbian champion moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Igokea and FMP BG. Defending Montenegrin champion Buducnost keeps the second position with one game lost. They share it with Mega BG and Dubai. Crvena zvezda will play against Zadar (#14) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Buducnost will play against Cedevita Ol. (#9) in Ljubljana and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Crvena zvezda: N.Nedovic 24+3reb+3ast, C.Miller-McIntyre 13+7reb+7ast, J.Bolomboy 8+4reb+1ast, R.Giedraitis 7+3reb+1ast, I.Canaan 6+1reb, M.Teodosic 6+1reb+1ast
Buducnost: M.Wright IV 20+3reb+7ast, F.Magee 12+1reb, A.Omic 9+6reb+2ast, N.Tanaskovic 8+8reb, K.Kamenjas 6+11reb+1ast, Y.Ferrell 5+1ast
gschID: 1179878
