BARAĆ: “UNPLEASANT DEFEAT FROM WHICH WE WILL DRAW MANY LESSONS”

Basketball players of Mega MIS hosted Budućnost VOLI in the 18th round of the ABA League, once again marking the memory of the great Dejan Milojević. However, Marko Barać’s team failed to secure another triumph at the Ranko Žeravica Sports Hall, as the Podgorica team emerged victorious after 40 minutes of battle with a score of 92-72 (20:19, 14:31, 18:18, 20:24). Mega had a strong start, holding their own against the team from the capital of Montenegro, ending the first quarter with a minimal lead. Nevertheless, the guests took control early in the second quarter, quickly establishing a double-digit lead and comfortably leading into halftime. Barać’s team tried various ways to catch up in the second half, but the Budućnost players persistently fended off the home team’s attacks, ultimately sealing the match in their favor and securing their 13th victory in the regional competition (13-5). After 18 rounds, Mega MIS has a balanced record of 9 wins and 9 losses.

Mega MIS head coach Marko Barać shared his impressions after the game:

“Congratulations to Budućnost on a well-deserved victory. We started the game well, the way we wanted. Everything looked good in the first quarter, both defensively and offensively. If we had managed to maintain rebounding, the lead would have been greater, but we missed a shot for a seven-point lead, and they made theirs. From that moment on, there was only one team. They had excellent rebounding, using physicality in the right way. At halftime, they had many more offensive rebounds than we had defensive ones. Basketball at this level cannot be played like that. In the second half, we tried to play with more energy, to control rebounds, but Budućnost, fueled by confidence, shot very well at crucial moments and maintained the lead. As for us, this is certainly an unpleasant defeat from which we will draw many lessons, especially regarding the level of physicality needed to play against a quality opponent like Budućnost,” said Barać.

In the next ABA League round, Mega MIS will be on the road against Zadar on Tuesday, February 6, at 19:00.

Photo: Mega MIS/Dragana Stjepanović