MEGA MIS OVERCOMES DUBAI IN THE FINAL SECONDS FOR THIRD CONSECUTIVE WIN IN ABA LEAGUE

The basketball players of Mega MIS recorded their third victory at the start of the new season in the ABA league, as they handed the Dubai team their first loss as guests at the Koka Kola Arena, winning 80:83 (24:18, 21:18, 18:24, 17:23). Under the guidance of coach Marko Barać, they put up a good fight against their opponent in the first half but were trailing. However, they played brilliantly in the third quarter, overcoming a double-digit deficit, although they couldn’t maintain the lead until the final break. A fierce battle ensued in the decisive quarter, leading to a tense finish where Kosta Kondić played a key role. He first hit a three-pointer at the beginning of the last minute, giving Barać’s team the lead, and then, with 1.7 seconds left, drew three free throws, making all of them to secure Mega MIS’s third consecutive triumph, leaving them with a perfect 3-0 record after three rounds. Dubai suffered their first loss and now has a record of 2-1.

The hero of Mega MIS’s latest victory, Kosta Kondić, finished the game with 16 points, six rebounds, and five assists, achieving a performance index of 20. Mihailo Petrović was the most valuable player for Barać’s team with a performance index of 21, recording 13 points, seven assists, and six rebounds, while Filip Jović was also impressive with 16 points and six rebounds. They were supported by Jack Kaily with 15 points and five assists, and Bogoljub Marković, who contributed 11 points, five assists, and four steals against the opponents.

For the Dubai team, AJ Taylor scored 14 points, Klemen Prepelič added 13, and Avudu Abas recorded 12 points. Danilo Anđušić also scored in double digits with 10 points.

The match at the Koka Kola Arena was attended by former Mega player, three-time NBA MVP, and Serbian national team member Nikola Jokić, accompanied by another NBA player who once represented Mega, Vlatko Čančar. Along with the Denver Nuggets duo, Croatian national team player Dario Šarić was present, and from the stands, former EuroLeague president Jordi Bertomeu and a member of the Denver coaching staff, Ognjen Stojaković, also watched the game.

The game started off with both teams exchanging baskets, with Jović opening strongly. However, in the second half of the opening quarter, Dubai managed to pull away. Marković and Petrović prevented the home team from pulling ahead completely, leading to a score of 24:18 at the first break. At the start of the second quarter, the team from the United Arab Emirates reached a double-digit lead, but Mega responded with five consecutive points. After Malovec’s three-pointer, they reduced the deficit to just half a basket, but Dubai maintained their lead, going into halftime up 45:36.

The third quarter was marked by a series of points from Kaily, and after his three-pointer midway through the period, the score was tied at 53:53. Marković hit a long-range shot to turn the score around, but the home team regained the lead, entering the final 10 minutes with a three-point advantage (63:60). A fierce battle ensued until the end, and Barać’s team regained the lead three minutes before the end after Petrović’s layup. A back-and-forth ensued, leading to a dramatic finish. Petrović shined, and then Kondić’s three-pointer gave Mega a three-point lead with 60 seconds remaining. The players from Dubai managed to equalize, but Kondić drew three free throws in the closing moments, making all of them and securing Mega MIS’s third consecutive victory in the new season.

In the next, fourth round of the ABA league, the basketball players of Mega MIS will host Mornar, with the match scheduled for Sunday, October 13, at 12:00, in the Ranko Žeravica Sports Hall.

Mega MIS: Milenković, Kondić 16 (6 r, 5 a, in 20), Vukčević, Marković 11 (5 a, 4 s), Kaily 15 (5 a), Kroflič 5, Macura, Milijašević 2, Jović 16 (6 r, in 19), Tanasković 2, Petrović 13 (7 a, 6 r, in 21), Malovec 3

Dubai: Ravena, Mason, Dangubić 8, Uskoković, Abass 12, Prepelič 13, Bertans 3, Taylor 14, Williams 8, Anđušić 10, Radošević 5, Duverioglu 7

Photo: ABA League/Dragana Stjepanović