MEGA MIS FOUGHT HARD IN PODGORICA BUT LOST TO BUDUCNOST IN THE FINAL MINUTES

The Mega MIS basketball players made a good impression on a tricky away game in Podgorica. Still, they failed to surprise Budućnost VOLI in the 12th round of the ABA League and the last competitive match of 2022. In the end, the champion of Montenegro won 79:66 (19:16, 21:18, 21:18, 18:15). Marko Barać’s team was neck to neck with the favored rival during most of the match, but in the end, they did not have the strength to match the team of former Mega coach Vladimir Jovanović. After 12 rounds, Mega has a record of 3-9, while Budućnost achieved its eighth victory (8-4).

Many positive things could be taken from the defeat, and one of them is the best game in the pink jersey of Oleksandr Kobzistyi. He earned the trust of coach Barac and finished the game with 15 points and six rebounds. Danko Branković added 14 points, and as many as 10 Mega players managed to score.

Aleksandar Lazić led Buducnost to victory with 18 points, Trae Bell Haynes, Aleksa Ilić, and former Mega center Alfa Kaba added ten each.

It was a very tough and even battle in the opening quarter. The teams went back and forth with the lead, and the hosts met the first break with only a three-point lead. It was tight in the sequel. Barac’s chosen ones tried to turn it around, but Budućnost kept the surplus. It was only at the end of the half that it managed to break through and repel the push of its rivals, so the team from Podgorica doubled its advantage from the first quarter before halftime.

At the beginning of the third part, the players of the Podgorica team went on an 11:0 run and quickly reached a 15-point advantage. However, that did not break Mega, who quickly recovered and overcame the deficit with eight straight points. Barac’s boys showed that they would not give up and that they wanted and could compete with the favored opponent. However, the more experienced team from the capital of Montenegro kept the advantage. Mega threatened their lead and had several opportunities to reduce the deficit to single-digit, but it was impossible. Ultimately, they bravely lost to a team tailored for the highest results in the regional championship.

Mega MIS: Branković 14, Rudan 7, Uskoković 2, Kobzistyi 15, Cazalon 5, Kovačević 4, Cerovina 3, Rorie 7, Grbović 5, Mušikić 4, Stefanović

Budućnost VOLI: Reynolds 6, Bell Haynes 10, Šehović, Atić 2, Booth 2, Kaba 10, Lazić 18, Ilić 10, Jagodić Kuridža 5, Drobnjak 5, Popović 7, Kamenjaš 4

In the next round, Mega will host Cedevita Olimpija. The meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 2, from 12:00 in the Ranko Žeravica Sports Hall.

Photo: Buducnost VOLI/Filip Roganović