ABA League Round 3 (Regular Season): Borac hands first defeat to Igokea

It's still too early stage of the Regular Season in ABA League, but even now we can clearly see the difference between stronger teams and outsiders. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Bosnian Igokea (1-1) in Aleksandrovac on Saturday night. Hosts were defeated by Serbian Borac (1-1) 94-83. Borac dominated down low during the game scoring 62 of its points in the paint compared to Igokea's 40. Borac looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. 27 personal fouls committed by Igokea helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. The best player for the winners was American Kahliel Spear (200-2000, college: RMU) who scored 22 points and 5 rebounds. His fellow American import guard Anthony Roy (196-2001, college: OK State) chipped in 20 points. At the other side the best for losing team was forward Haris Delalic (203-1994) who recorded 15 points. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Borac is looking forward to face Cibona in Zagreb in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Igokea will play at home against Cedevita Ol. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Another exciting game was played in Zagreb between Slovakian Slovan and Croatian Cibona where Slovan (1-1) beat Cibona (0-2) on the road 90-82. It was a good game for American forward Quincy Ford (203-1993, college: Northeastern, agency: Diamond Sports) who led his team to a victory with 18 points. Tray Buchanan contributed with 15 points and 5 assists for the winners. Lovro Mazalin (204-1997) answered with a double-double by scoring 21 points and 10 rebounds (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field) for Cibona. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Slovan will play against Buducnost in Podgorica in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Cibona will play at home against Borac and hopes to get finally their first victory.
An interesting game where UAE Dubai (2-0) edged by three points Romanian Cluj Napoca (1-1) 92-89 on Sunday night. It was a great evening for Elie Okobo who led his team to a victory scoring 12 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. The best for the losing side was Kristian Kullamaee with 19 points and 7 rebounds. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Dubai will meet at home Derby in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Cluj Napoca will play against Spartak in Subotica and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

Other games of round 3 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
FMP BG defeated Krka in Belgrade 79-68. Siroki beat Cedevita Ol. at home 70-69. Buducnost lost to Crvena zvezda on the opponent's court 91-101. Partizan outscored Vienna in a home game 99-78. Bosna managed to beat Derby on the road 100-91. Mega BG defeated Zadar on its own court 88-82. Spartak beat Ilirija in Subotica 82-76.

Group Group A

Igokea - Borac CA 83-94:
The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Bosnian Igokea (1-1) in Aleksandrovac on Saturday night. Hosts were defeated by Serbian Borac (1-1) 94-83. Borac dominated down low during the game scoring 62 of its points in the paint compared to Igokea's 40. Borac looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. 27 personal fouls committed by Igokea helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. The best player for the winners was American Kahliel Spear (200-2000, college: RMU) who scored 22 points and 5 rebounds. His fellow American import guard Anthony Roy (196-2001, college: OK State) chipped in 20 points. Four Borac CA players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was forward Haris Delalic (203-1994) who recorded 15 points and Serbian forward Petar Kovacevic (203-2002) added 16 points respectively. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Borac is looking forward to face Cibona in Zagreb in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Igokea will play at home against Cedevita Ol. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Igokea: P.Kovacevic 16+2reb, H.Delalic 15+2reb+1ast, N.Pierre-Louis 10+5ast, L.Stefanovic 9+3reb+3ast, N.Manojlovic 8+1reb, U.Paunovic 7+1reb+4ast
Borac CA: S.Kahliel 22+5reb+1ast, R.Anthony 20+2reb+2ast, C.Uros 15+4reb+3ast, R.Marko 10+8reb+1ast, S.Ranko 7+3reb+1ast, N.Jovan 7+3reb+9ast

Krka - FMP BG 68-79:
We cannot really consider it an upset in the game between close teams in Novo Mesto where Slovenian Krka (0-2) was defeated by Serbian FMP BG (2-0) 79-68 on Sunday. It was a great evening for American swingman Jamiya Neal (196-2003, college: Creighton) who led his team to a victory scoring 16 points and 7 rebounds. Swingman Marko Kovacevic (202-1999) helped adding 18 points. The best for the losing side was American power forward Galin Smith (206-1998, college: Maryland) with 19 points and 6 rebounds (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field) and the other American import point guard Diante Baldwin (182-1994, college: UNCG, agency: Slash Sports) scored 12 points and 7 assists. Krka's coach rotated eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. FMP BG will meet at home Siroki in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Krka will play against Crvena zvezda and looks forward to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Krka: G.Smith 19+6reb, D.Baldwin 12+4reb+7ast, J.Dolnicar 8+3reb+2ast, U.Oman 7+8reb+2ast, J.Rebec 7+3reb+1ast, B.Mahkovic 6+3reb+4ast
FMP BG: K.Marko 18+4reb, N.Jamiya 16+7reb+3ast, R.Brandon 16+2reb+2ast, R.Filip 10+1reb+1ast, R.Nikola 7+3reb+5ast, S.Aleksa 5+2reb+1ast

Siroki - Cedevita Ol. 70-69:
Siroki used a home court advantage and edged the opponent from Ljubljana 70-69 on Saturday night. Siroki forced 19 Cedevita Ol. turnovers. Strangely Cedevita Ol. outrebounded Siroki 38-23 including a 14-2 advantage in offensive rebounds. It was a great evening for American guard Tayler Persons (191-1995, college: Ball St., agency: Players Group) who led his team to a victory scoring 17 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists. Croatian center Matej Bosnjak (204-2002, college: Wichita St., agency: Octagon Europe) helped adding 19 points and 7 rebounds (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field). The best for the losing side was American Matt Hurt (206-2000, college: Duke) with 24 points and 5 rebounds and the other American import center Jayce Johnson (213-1997, college: Marquette) scored 5 points and 13 rebounds. Cedevita Ol.'s coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Siroki will meet FMP BG in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Cedevita Ol. will play against Igokea in Aleksandrovac and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Cedevita Ol.: M.Hurt 24+5reb, R.Lomazs 13+1reb+1ast, U.Kroflic 8+5reb, A.Cowan Jr. 7+1ast, J.Johnson 5+13reb, R.Radovic 4+4reb+2ast
Siroki: B.Matej 19+7reb+3ast, P.Tayler 17+6reb+8ast, L.Chavaughn 15+3ast, Z.Jure 8+3reb, Z.Karlo 6+3reb+4ast, V.Dominik 3+1reb

Crvena zvezda - Buducnost 101-91:
There was a minor upset in Belgrade where Montenegrin Buducnost (1-1) was defeated by Serbian Crvena zvezda (1-1) 101-91 on Saturday. Crvena zvezda looked well-organized offensively handing out 30 assists comparing to just 17 passes made by Buducnost's players. It was a great evening for Nigerian-American Jordan Nwora (203-1998, college: Louisville) who led his team to a victory scoring 24 points and 5 rebounds. Armenian-American point guard Chris Jones (188-1993, college: Angelo St.) helped adding 13 points and 9 assists. The best for the losing side was American Justin Smith (201-1999, college: Arkansas) with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 10 rebounds and Serbian center Stefan Djordjevic (206-1998) scored 16 points and 9 rebounds (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field). Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Crvena zvezda will meet Krka in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Buducnost will play against Slovan and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Buducnost: J.Smith 18+10reb+1ast, S.Djordjevic 16+9reb, I.Molinar 11+1reb+5ast, D.Jovanovic 11+2reb+1ast, F.Magee 9+2reb, Y.Ferrell 9+1reb+6ast
Crvena zvezda: N.Jordan 24+5reb+3ast, K.David 16+3reb+1ast, C.Tyson 14+1reb+4ast, J.Chris 13+1reb+9ast, O.Semi 9+1reb+2ast, D.Ognjen 7

Cibona - Slovan 82-90:
Another exciting game was played in Zagreb between Slovakian Slovan and Croatian Cibona where Slovan (1-1) beat Cibona (0-2) on the road 90-82. Slovan players were unselfish on offense dishing 25 assists. It was a good game for American forward Quincy Ford (203-1993, college: Northeastern, agency: Diamond Sports) who led his team to a victory with 18 points. His fellow American import guard Tray Buchanan (187-1998, college: Emporia St.) contributed with 15 points and 5 assists for the winners. Four Slovan players scored in double figures. Lovro Mazalin (204-1997) answered with a double-double by scoring 21 points and 10 rebounds (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field) and American guard Rickey McGill (188-1997, college: Iona) added 18 points and 9 assists in the effort for Cibona. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Slovan will play against Buducnost in Podgorica in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Cibona will play at home against Borac and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Cibona: L.Mazalin 21+10reb+2ast, R.McGill 18+2reb+9ast, K.Battle 10+3reb+3ast, R.Badzim 8+2ast, A.Sikiric 7+5reb+1ast, M.Loncar 6+5reb
Slovan: F.Quincy 18+4reb+2ast, B.Tray 15+2reb+5ast, B.Trevon 14+1reb+2ast, B.Desure 10+2reb+6ast, B.Niko 8+3reb+6ast, D.Mateo 8+2reb+3ast

Group Group B

Partizan - Vienna 99-78:
We could consider it a predictable result in the game between close teams in Belgrade where Serbian Partizan (2-0) outscored Austrian BC Vienna (0-2) 99-78 on Sunday. Partizan made 17-of-18 free shots (94.4 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 32 assists. It was a great evening for Argentinian-Italian guard Luca Vildoza (191-1995, agency: Octagon Europe) who led his team to a victory scoring 15 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists. French center Joffrey Lauvergne (211-1991) helped adding 15 points. Four Partizan players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was Serbian power forward Nikola Jovanovic (211-1994, college: USC) with 18 points and 6 rebounds and Serbian Aleksandar Langovic (204-2001) scored 17 points and 6 rebounds. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Partizan will meet Bosna in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. BC Vienna will play against Zadar and looks forward to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Vienna: N.Jovanovic 18+6reb+1ast, A.Langovic 17+6reb+2ast, G.Sherfield 14+3reb+4ast, K.Radovcic 9+2reb+6ast, Z.Bogdan 7, A.Novakovic 5+1reb+2ast
Partizan: V.Luca 15+5reb+7ast, S.Bandja 15+3reb, L.Joffrey 15+4reb+1ast, T.Nikola 14+1reb, L.Arijan 11+2reb+1ast, T.Ethan 8+3reb+3ast

Derby - Bosna 91-100:
There was a minor upset in Podgorica where Montenegrin Derby (0-2) was defeated by Bosnian Bosna (2-0) 100-91 on Saturday. It was a great evening for American forward Reggie Perry (208-2000, college: MSU) who led his team to a victory scoring 28 points and 8 rebounds. His fellow American import guard DeAndre Gholston (195-2000, college: Missouri) helped adding 26 points (on 10-of-11 shooting from the field). The best for the losing side was Serbian point guard Aleksa Uskokovic (190-1999) with 23 points and 6 assists and Serbian center Marko Pavicevic (209-2001, agency: Octagon Europe) produced a double-double by scoring 15 points and 12 rebounds (perfect from the field making all six shots). Four Derby players scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Bosna will meet at home Partizan in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Derby will play against Dubai and looks forward to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Derby: A.Uskokovic 23+4reb+6ast, A.Jordano 17, M.Pavicevic 15+12reb+2ast, A.Wesson 11+2ast, N.Pavlicevic 9+2reb+2ast, J.Davis 6+5reb+1ast
Bosna: P.Reggie 28+8reb+1ast, G.DeAndre 26+3reb+2ast, P.PJ 19+1reb+1ast, V.Adin 6+6reb+1ast, D.Marcus 5+1reb, I.Alija 5

Mega BG - Zadar 88-82:
There was a small surprise in Belgrade where Serbian Mega BG (1-1) won against Croatian Zadar (1-1) 88-82 on Sunday. Mega BG made 24-of-27 free shots (88.9 percent) during the game. It was a great evening for guard Andrej Lucic (188-2007) who led his team to a victory scoring 18 points and 7 assists. Power forward Ognjen Nikolic (210-2006) helped adding 15 points and 7 rebounds. The best for the losing side was American point guard Ross Williams (178-2000, college: TAMUCC, agency: Players Group) with 17 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists and Montenegrin point guard Vladimir Mihailovic (193-1990) scored 20 points and 4 assists. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Mega BG will meet Ilirija (#3) in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Zadar will play against Vienna and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Zadar: V.Mihailovic 20+2reb+4ast, R.Williams 17+5reb+5ast, I.Vranes 15+7reb, D.Dreznjak 9+3reb+2ast, N.Sare 5+1reb+1ast, K.Klarica 5+2reb+2ast
Mega BG: L.Andrej 18+2reb+7ast, N.Ognjen 15+7reb+3ast, P.Luka 11+5reb+1ast, S.Ognjen 10+2reb, N.Lucas 9+2reb+3ast, B.Pavle 8+4reb

Cluj Napoca - Dubai 89-92:
An interesting game where UAE Dubai (2-0) edged by three points Romanian Cluj Napoca (1-1) 92-89 on Sunday night. Dubai dominated down low during the game scoring 62 of its points in the paint compared to Cluj Napoca's 38. It was a great evening for French guard Elie Okobo (191-1997) who led his team to a victory scoring 12 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. American guard McKinley Wright IV (180-1998, college: Colorado) helped adding 14 points. The best for the losing side was Estonian point guard Kristian Kullamaee (193-1999) with 19 points and 7 rebounds and American JaVonte Smart (193-1999, college: LSU, agency: Diamond Sports) scored 18 points and 6 assists. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Dubai will meet at home Derby in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Cluj Napoca will play against Spartak in Subotica and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Cluj Napoca: K.Kullamaee 19+7reb+1ast, J.Smart 18+1reb+6ast, J.McCreary 11+3reb, J.Bess 10+5reb+1ast, U.Plavsic 9+10reb+3ast, O.Livingston II 9+1ast
Dubai: W.McKinley 14+3reb+2ast, K.Mfiondu 12+3reb+1ast, O.Elie 12+5reb+4ast, M.Davion 11+3reb+1ast, B.Dwayne 11+2reb+5ast, D.Mamadi 7+1reb

Ilirija - Spartak 76-82:
But Ilirija was not able to use a home court advantage and was defeated by the opponent from Subotica 82-76 on Saturday night. Spartak outrebounded Ilirija 39-27 including 18 on the offensive glass. It was a great evening for Bosnian-Serbian forward Dalibor Ilic (202-2000, agency: Octagon Europe) who led his team to a victory scoring 19 points and 8 rebounds. Montenegrin point guard Igor Drobnjak (188-2000) helped adding 13 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists. The best for the losing side was Serbian forward Stefan Todorovic (203-2002, college: Pepperdine) with 29 points and American guard Cameron Shelton (188-1999, college: LMU) scored 11 points. Four Ilirija players scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Spartak will meet at home Cluj Napoca in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Ilirija will play against Mega BG and looks forward to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Ilirija: S.Todorovic 29+4reb+2ast, M.Cibej 12+2reb+1ast, C.Shelton 11+3reb+2ast, H.Dean 10+4reb+1ast, L.Boisa 6+2reb, E.Muric 4+4reb+1ast
Spartak: I.Dalibor 19+8reb+1ast, D.Igor 13+5reb+8ast, N.Danilo 12+3reb, J.Marko 9+1reb+1ast, L.Stefan 9+4reb+1ast, O.Alen 6+9reb