ABA League Round 10 (Second Stage): Derby defeat Zadar

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most surprising game was a loss of top-ranked Croatian Zadar (12-14) in Podgorica on Monday night. Visitors were defeated by seventh ranked Montenegrin Derby (9-17) 73-59. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Zadar. Worth to mention a great performance of Emir Hadzibegovic (204-1996) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 14 points and 14 rebounds. Bosnian-Croatian swingman Mateo Dreznjak (195-1999) contributed with 19 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. Lovro Mazalin (204-1997) replied with 16 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists for Zadar. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Derby have a solid four-game winning streak. They moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Vienna. Defending Croatian champion Zadar still keeps top position with 14 games lost. They share it with Mega BG.
One of the most interesting games of round 10 was a derby match between two teams from Serbia. The game took place in Cacak where second ranked Mega BG won against host Borac CA (8-19) 98-89. Forward Bogoljub Markovic (210-2005) had a double-double by scoring 26 points, 16 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 blocks to lead the charge for the winners and Nikola Djurisic chipped in 24 points (on 9-of-10 shooting from the field) during the contest. Mega BG's coach allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. At the losing side guard Aleksa Uskokovic (189-1999) responded with 29 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Mega BG (12-14) keeps a position of league leader, which they share with Zadar. Borac at the other side keeps the eighth place with 19 games lost.
Very important is a road loss of second ranked Serbian Spartak (14-12) against ninth ranked Croatian Split (7-19) on Friday night. Visiting Spartak was defeated by Split in Split 93-83. Glenn Cosey notched 13 points and 9 assists to lead the effort. Even a double-double of 11 points and 13 rebounds by Shevon Thompson did not help to save the game for Spartak. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Split maintains ninth position with 7-19 record. Loser Spartak keeps the second place with 12 games lost.

In the last two games of round 10 Ilirija beat FMP BG on the road 88-82. Krka destroyed Vienna on its own court 97-73.
The most impressive performance of 10th round was 15 points and 8 rebounds by Aleksa Ilic of Derby.

Group Play-Out

Borac CA - Mega BG 89-98

One of the most interesting games of round 10 was a derby match between two teams from Serbia. The game took place in Cacak where second ranked Mega BG won against host Borac CA (8-19) 98-89. Mega BG made 17-of-22 charity shots (77.3 percent) during the game. Forward Bogoljub Markovic (210-2005) had a double-double by scoring 26 points, 16 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 blocks to lead the charge for the winners and Nikola Djurisic (203-2004) chipped in 24 points (on 9-of-10 shooting from the field) during the contest. Mega BG's coach allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. At the losing side guard Aleksa Uskokovic (189-1999) responded with 29 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists and Bosnian-Serbian forward Marko Josilo (200-1992, agency: Octagon Europe) scored 11 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists. Five Mega BG and four Borac players scored in double figures. Mega BG (12-14) keeps a position of league leader, which they share with Zadar. Borac at the other side keeps the eighth place with 19 games lost.
Top scorers:
Mega BG: B.Markovic 26+16reb+4ast, D.Nikola 24+2reb, U.Kroflic 16+2reb+5ast, D.Savo 16+1reb+3ast, A.Siby 10+6reb, D.Asim 3+2reb
Borac CA: A.Uskokovic 29+5reb+4ast, P.Nikolic 19+3reb, C.Uros 13+1reb+3ast, M.Josilo 11+6reb+6ast, N.Manojlovic 9+4reb+2ast, C.Djordje 6+4reb

Split - Spartak 93-83

Very important is a road loss of second ranked Serbian Spartak (14-12) against ninth ranked Croatian Split (7-19) on Friday night. Visiting Spartak was defeated by Split in Split 93-83. Split dominated down low during the game scoring 56 of its points in the paint compared to Spartak's 36. Split looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. American point guard Glenn Cosey (183-1992, college: EKU) notched 13 points and 9 assists to lead the effort and the other American import center Jake Stephens (213-1999, college: Chattanooga) supported him with 15 points and 5 rebounds. Even a double-double of 11 points and 13 rebounds by Jamaican center Shevon Thompson (213-1993, college: GMU) did not help to save the game for Spartak. Montenegrin power forward Danilo Nikolic (206-1993) added 12 points and 7 rebounds for lost side. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Split maintains ninth position with 7-19 record. Loser Spartak keeps the second place with 12 games lost.
Top scorers:
Split: S.Jake 15+5reb+1ast, T.Myers 13+2reb+3ast, C.Glenn 13+3reb+9ast, J.Antonio 13+1reb+1ast, P.Ivan 12+2reb+1ast, W.Demajeo 8+7reb+1ast
Spartak: A.Gegic 14+6ast, D.Nikolic 12+7reb+1ast, S.Thompson 11+13reb, J.Hawkins 9+4reb+2ast, N.Rebic 8+2reb+3ast, M.Vojin 6+2reb+1ast

FMP BG - Ilirija 82-88

There was a small surprise when fourth ranked Slovenian Ilirija (11-16) beat much higher ranked Serbian FMP BG (11-15) in Belgrade 88-82 on Saturday. Ilirija looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. American point guard Wendell Green Jr (180-2002, college: Auburn) notched 21 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists to lead the effort and forward Tim Tomazic (199-1999) supported him with 12 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists. Even 24 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists 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 5 rebounds for lost side. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. FMP BG's coach rotated eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Ilirija maintains fourth position with 11-16 record. FMP BG lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the third place with 15 games lost.
Top scorers:
Ilirija: G.Wendell 21+6reb+4ast, E.Muric 15+3reb+3ast, M.Padjen 12+3reb+10ast, T.Tomazic 12+10reb+4ast, J.Robert 7+4reb, M.Boban 7+9reb
FMP BG: F.Barna 24+9reb+4ast, J.Scott 18+5reb+2ast, R.Filip 12+7reb, S.Lazar 12+4reb+1ast, R.Marko 6+8reb+2ast, R.Dusan 5+3reb+1ast

Krka - Vienna 97-73

Everything could happen in Novo Mesto at the game between two tied teams. Both sixth ranked Slovenian Krka and 5th ranked Austrian BC Vienna had identical 9-16 record. This time Krka used a home court advantage and smashed the opponent from Vienna 97-73 on Monday night. Krka looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Forward Blaz Mahkovic (201-1990, agency: Interperformances) notched 18 points and 5 assists to lead the effort and Oman Urban (198-1998, agency: PEPI SPORT) supported him with 14 points. Four Krka players scored in double figures. Even 12 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists by Slovenian-Austrian center Rasid Mahalbasic (210-1990) did not help to save the game for Vienna. Slovenian Gregor Glas (197-2001) added 18 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. Krka (10-16) moved-up to fifth place. Loser BC Vienna dropped to the sixth position with 17 games lost. They share it with Derby.
Top scorers:
Krka: M.Blaz 18+3reb+5ast, B.Khalil 15+2reb+3ast, U.Lovro 15+3reb+1ast, U.Oman 14+3reb+3ast, Z.Smrekar 9+3reb+4ast, R.Jan 8+1ast
Vienna: G.Glas 18+1reb+1ast, R.Mahalbasic 12+6reb+5ast, V.Stojanovic 10+2reb, L.Asceric 9+6reb+4ast, M.Pavicevic 8+4reb, S.Aron 6+4reb

Derby - Zadar 73-59

The most surprising game was a loss of top-ranked Croatian Zadar (12-14) in Podgorica on Monday night. Visitors were defeated by seventh ranked Montenegrin Derby (9-17) 73-59. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Zadar. Worth to mention a great performance of Emir Hadzibegovic (204-1996) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 14 points and 14 rebounds. Bosnian-Croatian swingman Mateo Dreznjak (195-1999) contributed with 19 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. Lovro Mazalin (204-1997) replied with 16 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists and Montenegrin point guard Vladimir Mihailovic (193-1990) added 12 points in the effort for Zadar. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Derby have a solid four-game winning streak. They moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Vienna. Defending Croatian champion Zadar still keeps top position with 14 games lost. They share it with Mega BG.
Top scorers:
Derby: D.Mateo 19+5reb+4ast, I.Aleksa 15+8reb+3ast, H.Emir 14+14reb+1ast, J.Darius 9+2ast, R.Matic 7+3reb+1ast, P.Nikola 7+3reb+3ast
Zadar: L.Mazalin 16+9reb+5ast, K.Klarica 12, V.Mihailovic 12+2reb+2ast, L.Buljevic 7+3reb, A.Mekic 4+1reb, T.Ivan 3+2reb+1ast