Round 16 (Regular Season): Split defeat Derby

There are only two more rounds left in the Regular Season in ABA League. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of top-ranked Montenegrin Derby (3-12) on the court of first ranked Croatian Split on Monday night. Visitors were defeated by Split 102-94. Split looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. 26 personal fouls committed by Derby helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Worth to mention a great performance of guard Antonio Jordano (191-1999) who helped to win the game recording 32 points and 5 rebounds. Bosnian-Croatian forward Dario Dreznjak (204-1998) contributed with 14 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. Power forward Aleksa Ilic (204-1996) replied with a double-double by scoring 31 points and 11 rebounds (on 14-of-17 shooting from the field) for Derby. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Despite that victory Split went down to third position due to points difference, which they share with Zadar. Derby at the other side still keeps top place with 12 games lost. Split is looking forward to face Krka (#3) in Novo Mesto in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Derby will have a break next round.
Important game to mention about took place in Cacak. Third ranked Serbian Borac (5-9) saved a 2-point victory at home edging their biggest opponent Slovenian Krka (4-10) 71-69 in the fight for the first place. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Krka. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Worth to mention a great performance of swingman Pavle Nikolic (200-2005, agency: Octagon Europe) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 27 points and 12 rebounds and Djordje Curcic who added 14 points during the contest. At the losing side point guard Niko Bacvic (191-1997) responded with 12 points and 6 assists. Krka's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Borac keeps a position of league leader, which they share with Mega BG and FMP BG. Krka at the other side keeps the second place with ten games lost. They share the position with Vienna. Borac will play against league's leader FMP BG in Beograd in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Krka will play at home against Split and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
An interesting game for Slovenian Cedevita Ol. (11-4) which played road game in Zadar against 3rd ranked Croatian Zadar (4-11). First ranked Cedevita Ol. managed to get a 11-point victory 112-101. The winners were led by Aleksej Nikolic who scored that evening 23 points. Even 32 points by Lovro Mazalin did not help to save the game for Zadar. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Defending Slovenian champion maintains first position with 11-4 record. Zadar lost fifth consecutive game. Defending Croatian champion keeps the third place with 11 games lost. They share the position with Split. Cedevita Ol.'s supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Ljubljana to the arena Ilirija.

Other games in round 16 were not that significant. Bosna was beaten by Buducnost on the road 90-80. Ilirija lost to Mega BG on its own court 77-86. Igokea unfortunately lost to Partizan in Beograd 84-90. Dubai managed to beat FMP BG at home 98-82. Vienna was defeated by Crvena zvezda on the opponent's court 108-99.
The most impressive performance of 16th round was 21 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists by Souley Boum of Vienna.



Split - Derby 102-94

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of top-ranked Montenegrin Derby (3-12) on the court of first ranked Croatian Split on Monday night. Visitors were defeated by Split 102-94. Split looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. 26 personal fouls committed by Derby helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Worth to mention a great performance of guard Antonio Jordano (191-1999) who helped to win the game recording 32 points and 5 rebounds. Bosnian-Croatian forward Dario Dreznjak (204-1998) contributed with 14 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. Power forward Aleksa Ilic (204-1996) replied with a double-double by scoring 31 points and 11 rebounds (on 14-of-17 shooting from the field) and American guard Darius Johnson (185-2002, college: UCF, agency: Inception Sports) added 16 points and 4 assists in the effort for Derby. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Despite that victory Split went down to third position due to points difference, which they share with Zadar. Derby at the other side still keeps top place with 12 games lost. Split is looking forward to face Krka (#3) in Novo Mesto in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Derby will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Split: J.Antonio 32+5reb+2ast, W.Demajeo 14+5reb+1ast, D.Dario 14+6reb+4ast, D.Zoran 10+7reb+4ast, V.Kucic 9+6reb+3ast, T.Myers 9+1reb+2ast
Derby: A.Ilic 31+11reb, D.Johnson 16+1reb+4ast, M.Rebec 12+4reb+4ast, M.Dreznjak 11+3reb+5ast, N.Saranovic 8+2reb+2ast, H.Dean 7+4reb

Zadar - Cedevita Ol. 101-112

An interesting game for Slovenian Cedevita Ol. (11-4) which played road game in Zadar against 3rd ranked Croatian Zadar (4-11). First ranked Cedevita Ol. managed to get a 11-point victory 112-101. Cedevita Ol. shot 61.5 percent from the field and made 16-of-20 free shots (80.0 percent) during the game. They shot the lights out from three sinking 16 long-distance shots on high 55.2 percentage. The winners were led by point guard Aleksej Nikolic (191-1995) who scored that evening 23 points and American point guard Umoja Gibson (185-1998, college: DePaul) supported him with 16 points and 8 assists. Four Cedevita Ol. players scored in double figures. Even 32 points by Lovro Mazalin (204-1997) did not help to save the game for Zadar. Montenegrin point guard Vladimir Mihailovic (193-1990) added 31 points for lost side. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Defending Slovenian champion maintains first position with 11-4 record. Zadar lost fifth consecutive game. Defending Croatian champion keeps the third place with 11 games lost. They share the position with Split. Cedevita Ol.'s supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Ljubljana to the arena Ilirija.
Top scorers:
Cedevita Ol.: N.Aleksej 23+1reb+1ast, S.D.J. 17+4reb+3ast, G.Umoja 16+8ast, C.Miha 15+2reb+1ast, S.David 9+4reb, H.Matt 9+4reb
Zadar: L.Mazalin 32+3reb+3ast, V.Mihailovic 31+1reb+3ast, M.Ramljak 11+7reb+3ast, B.Tisma 9+1reb, B.Kapusta 8+2reb+7ast, L.Buljevic 8+1reb

Borac CA - Krka 71-69

Important game to mention about took place in Cacak. Third ranked Serbian Borac (5-9) saved a 2-point victory at home edging their biggest opponent Slovenian Krka (4-10) 71-69 in the fight for the first place. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Krka. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Borac dominated down low during the game scoring 46 of its points in the paint compared to Krka's 22. Worth to mention a great performance of swingman Pavle Nikolic (200-2005, agency: Octagon Europe) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 27 points and 12 rebounds and guard Djordje Curcic (194-2005) who added 14 points during the contest. Four Borac CA players scored in double figures. At the losing side point guard Niko Bacvic (191-1997) responded with 12 points and 6 assists and American center Sukhmail Mathon (208-1998, college: Boston U.) scored 11 points and 5 rebounds. Krka's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Borac keeps a position of league leader, which they share with Mega BG and FMP BG. Krka at the other side keeps the second place with ten games lost. They share the position with Vienna. Borac will play against league's leader FMP BG in Beograd in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Krka will play at home against Split and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Borac CA: N.Pavle 27+12reb, D.Curcic 14+3reb+1ast, U.Aleksa 11+2reb+3ast, M.Nikola 11+3reb+3ast, U.Carapic 8+1ast, A.Obrenic 0
Krka: N.Bacvic 12+4reb+6ast, S.Zak 12+2reb+3ast, S.Mathon 11+5reb+2ast, O.Urban 9+2reb, B.Mahkovic 5+2reb+2ast, L.Urbiha 5+5reb+2ast

Buducnost - Bosna S. 90-80

There was a small surprise when first ranked Montenegrin Buducnost (12-2) beat their close opponent Bosnian Bosna (7-7) in Podgorica 90-80 on Saturday. Buducnost shot 62.0 percent from the field. Buducnost had a 24-13 advantage in offensive rebounds. The winners were led by American point guard Skylar Mays (192-1997, college: LSU) who scored that evening 17 points and the other American import point guard Yogi Ferrell (183-1993, college: Indiana) supported him with 12 points and 6 assists. Five Buducnost players scored in double figures. Even 16 points by American Michael Young (206-1994, college: Pittsburgh) did not help to save the game for Bosna. Argentinian point guard Lautaro Lopez (189-1999, agency: PEPI SPORT) added 11 points for lost side. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Buducnost have an impressive eight-game winning streak. Defending Montenegrin champion maintains first position with 12-2 record which they share with defeated Bosna. Loser Bosna S. still keeps top place with seven games lost. They share the position with Spartak and Igokea. Buducnost will meet league's leader Spartak in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Bosna will play against the league's second-placed Vienna and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Buducnost: M.Skylar 17+3reb+3ast, K.Oleksandr 14+1reb+2ast, S.Rasheed 13+3reb+2ast, F.Yogi 12+1reb+6ast, J.Djordje 10+4reb, M.Juwan 8+2reb+1ast
Bosna S.: M.Young 16+3reb, L.Lopez 11+3reb+2ast, J.West 8+1reb+5ast, M.Halilovic 8+1reb, E.Atic 8+1reb+4ast, D.Salic 7+2reb+1ast

Ilirija - Mega BG 77-86

Rather expected game when 4th ranked Slovenian Ilirija (3-11) lost to second ranked Serbian Mega BG (5-9) in Ljubljana 77-86 on Saturday. The winners were led by forward Bogoljub Markovic (210-2005) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 19 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists and Slovenian forward Urban Kroflic (197-2006) supported him with 19 points and 4 assists. Four Mega BG players scored in double figures. Mega BG's coach used entire bench saving starting five for next games. Even a double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds by forward Edo Muric (202-1991) did not help to save the game for Ilirija. Forward Tim Tomazic (199-1999) added 18 points (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field) for lost side. Mega BG keeps a position of league leader, which they share with Borac and FMP BG. Ilirija lost third consecutive game. They keep the fourth place with 11 games lost. Mega BG's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Beograd Crvena zvezda.
Top scorers:
Mega BG: U.Kroflic 19+3reb+4ast, B.Markovic 19+13reb+4ast, D.Asim 11+5reb+1ast, D.Savo 10+8reb+1ast, S.Luigi 8+6reb, S.Ognjen 6+5reb
Ilirija: T.Tim 18+3reb+1ast, M.Edo 15+10reb+3ast, L.Kures 13+2reb+3ast, W.Green Jr. 8+4reb+6ast, R.Jurkovic 7+7reb, V.Tristan 6+3reb+1ast

Partizan - Igokea 90-84

We could consider it a predictable result in the game between close teams when second ranked Serbian Partizan (13-1) won against top-ranked Bosnian Igokea (7-7) in Beograd 90-84 on Sunday. Partizan made 20-of-26 free shots (76.9 percent) during the game. Partizan outrebounded Igokea 32-20 including 24 on the defensive glass. Partizan looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. The winners were led by Angolan center Bruno Fernando (207-1998, college: Maryland) who scored that evening 15 points and 9 rebounds and American Sterling Brown (197-1995, college: SMU) supported him with 15 points and 4 assists. Even 16 points and 6 assists by American guard Nate Pierre-Louis (193-1998, college: Temple) did not help to save the game for Igokea. Serbian power forward Strahinja Gavrilovic (204-1993, college: USC, agency: Octagon Europe) added 17 points for lost side. Five Partizan and four Igokea players scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Partizan have an impressive nine-game winning streak. Defending Serbian champion maintains second position with 13-1 record having just eight point less than leader Spartak. Igokea lost third consecutive game. Defending Bosnian champion still keeps top place with seven games lost. They share the position with Bosna and Spartak. Partizan will meet at home league's leader Cluj Napoca in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Igokea will play against the league's leader Dubai and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Partizan: B.Sterling 15+3reb+4ast, F.Bruno 15+9reb, O.Dylan 14+1reb+3ast, B.Isaac 12+1reb+4ast, J.Tonye 11+7reb+3ast, P.Cameron 9+1reb+1ast
Igokea: S.Gavrilovic 17+2reb, N.Pierre-Louis 16+3reb+6ast, A.Rorie 11+1reb+6ast, D.Milosavljevic 11+3reb+2ast, J.Marko 9+1ast, J.Bess 8+5reb+1ast

Dubai - FMP BG 98-82

There was a minor upset when their close opponent Serbian FMP BG (5-9) lost on the road to top-ranked UAE Dubai (14-0) 98-82 on Monday. Dubai shot 61.1 percent from the field and made 20-of-24 free shots (83.3 percent) during the game. They shot the lights out from three sinking 12 long-distance shots on high 52.2 percentage. Dubai looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists comparing to just 13 passes made by FMP BG's players. The winners were led by Bosnian swingman Dzanan Musa (205-1999) who scored that evening 21 points and Bosnian center Kenan Kamenjas (207-2000) supported him with 13 points and 7 rebounds. Dubai's coach used an eleven-player rotation saving starting five for next games. Even 21 points and 6 rebounds (made all of his nine free throws !!!) by swingman Filip Barna (201-1999) did not help to save the game for FMP BG. American guard Joshua Scott (185-1998, college: Thomas Univ.) added 18 points and 4 assists for lost side. Four Dubai and five FMP BG players scored in double figures. Dubai have an impressive 14-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 14-0 record which they share with defeated FMP BG. Loser FMP BG still keeps top place with nine games lost. They share the position with Borac and Mega BG. Dubai will meet at home league's leader Igokea in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. FMP BG will play against the league's second-placed Borac and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Dubai: M.Dzanan 21+3reb+2ast, K.Mfiondu 16+2reb+1ast, K.Kenan 13+7reb+3ast, A.Aleksa 13+3reb+6ast, A.Taran 8+2reb+3ast, B.Dwayne 8+4reb+4ast
FMP BG: F.Barna 21+6reb+3ast, J.Scott 18+3reb+4ast, S.Lazar 14+4reb+1ast, S.Aleksa 13+3reb+1ast, N.Gasic 10+3reb+1ast, C.Eugene 4+3ast

Crvena zvezda - Vienna 108-99

The game between closely ranked teams ended with first ranked Serbian Crvena zvezda's (11-3) home victory over their biggest opponent Austrian BC Vienna (4-10) in Beograd 108-99 on Monday. Crvena zvezda made 22-of-24 free shots (91.7 percent) during the game. Crvena zvezda outrebounded Vienna 37-25 including 17 on the offensive glass. Crvena zvezda looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. The winners were led by Nigerian-American Jordan Nwora (203-1998, college: Louisville) who scored that evening 23 points and Brazilian point guard Yago Dos Santos (175-1999) supported him with 15 points and 6 assists. Even 21 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists by American-Guinean guard Souley Boum (190-1999, college: Xavier) did not help to save the game for Vienna. Slovenian Gregor Glas (197-2001) added 18 points and 4 assists (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) for lost side. Five Crvena zvezda and four Vienna players scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Crvena zvezda have an impressive eight-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 11-3 record. Loser BC Vienna keeps the second place with ten games lost. They share the position with Krka. Crvena zvezda's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Beograd to the arena Mega BG.
Top scorers:
Crvena zvezda: N.Jordan 23+1reb+3ast, D.Ognjen 16+2reb, D.Yago 15+2reb+6ast, D.Dejan 11+8reb+3ast, I.Ebuka 11+6reb, M.Stefan 11+4reb+3ast
Vienna: S.Boum 21+5reb+6ast, S.Hunter 19+4reb+1ast, G.Glas 18+2reb+4ast, D.Bajo 12+2reb+1ast, L.Runjic 10+1reb+5ast, R.Mahalbasic 8+5reb+2ast