MEGA MIS DEFEATS PARTIZAN WITH A BRILLIANT SECOND-HALF PERFORMANCE AND FORCES DECIDER

The Mega MIS basketball team managed to force a decider in the Super League of Serbia semifinal series, as they defeated Partizan Mozzart Bet 92:88 (18:28, 23:19, 26:15, 25:26) in the second game played at TC Dejan Milojević. Marko Barać’s team fell behind early in the game but gradually gained momentum and reduced the deficit. They didn’t manage to erase it by halftime but turned things around in the third quarter. They finished the mentioned period strong and started the decisive quarter well, gaining a double-digit lead. Ultimately, they repelled the opponent’s attacks and recorded a significant victory to make the series 1-1.

The most efficient player for Mega MIS was Filip Jović, who scored 14 points, while Nelson Phillips scored one less and distributed four assists, making him the most valuable player of the winning team with a PIR of 16. Ilija Milijašević and Andrija Jelavić also scored in double digits, with 12 points each, and Jelavić also grabbed seven rebounds. Mihailo Petrović was also very good, with nine points and five assists.

In the losing team, Bruno Caboclo scored 18 points, Jaleen Smith scored one less, and Mateusz Ponitka also scored in double digits with 12 points.

Before the game started, individual awards were presented to two Mega MIS players for outstanding seasons in the Basketball League of Serbia. Nelson Phillips was named to the ideal five while playing for Vršac, being the top scorer and the player with the most steals in the league season. Bogoljub Marković was also a member of the best five, thanks to his excellent performances in the OKK Beograd jersey.

Former Mega MIS players, Serbian national team members, and NBA stars Nikola Jović and Boban Marjanović attended the game.

During the break between the first and second quarters, the audience greeted the first team, junior team, and cadet team of ŽKK Mega MIS, who won titles in all three age categories.

Partizan started the match better, leading 9:2 in less than three minutes, but Mega managed to consolidate and respond, halving the deficit. However, the black-and-whites pulled away again, gaining a double-digit lead, and the first break ended with a score of 18:28 on the scoreboard. Jović and Jelavić started strong in the second quarter, showing that Mega would not give up, but the visitors maintained their lead, and after 20 minutes, Barać’s team was trailing 41:47.

Mega MIS opened the second half excellently, and after less than four minutes of play, a three-pointer by Philips led to a comeback (52:51). A fierce battle for every possession ensued, with teams exchanging leads, but Barać’s team ended the period with a 7:0 run, entering the final break with a five-point lead (67:62). At the start of the decisive period, Iljasolu hit a three-pointer. Mega continued with excellent play, and after five consecutive points by Milijašević, they gained a double-digit lead (79:68). Partizan tried in every way to come back, managing to bring the game to an uncertain finish, but Mega MIS’s players defended well, preserved their lead, and recorded a victory.

The third and deciding match will be played on Thursday, May 30, at 18:00, with Partizan hosting Mega MIS again.

Mega MIS: Phillips 13 (PIR 16), Milijašević 12, Jelavić 12 (7 rebounds), Marković 7, Popović, Ilyasoglu 7, Đurišić 6, Kovačević 6, Petrović 9 (5 assists), Jović 14, Mušicki, Malovec 6

Partizan: Smith 17, LeDay 6, Drezgić, Avramović 6, Punter 9, Smailagić 5, Jaramaz, Dimitrijević, Trifunović 8, Anđušić 7, Ponitka 12, Caboclo 18

Photo: Mega MIS/Ivica Veselinov