FOURTH CONSECUTIVE WIN FOR MEGA SUPERBET, CIBONA DEFEATED AS WELL

Mega Superbet notched another crucial victory in the final stretch of the ABA League regular season. In Round 28, Marko Barać’s team came out on top in Zagreb, defeating Cibona 88–83 for their fourth consecutive win. Mega delivered a strong performance in the final quarter, mounting a comeback to secure another vital victory in the fight for a playoff spot. With this win, Mega Superbet now holds a 15–13 record, the same as Spartak, but currently sits in eighth place on the standings.

Mihailo Petrović had another outstanding performance, finishing the game with 28 points and 13 assists for a performance index rating of 37. This was Petrović’s third double-double in the last four games, and his seventh of the season. Bogoljub Marković also recorded a double-double, contributing 16 points and 11 assists. Andrija Jelavić added a strong showing with 18 points.

For Cibona, Sven Smajlagić led the way with 21 points.

The home team opened the game better, taking an early 7–2 lead, but Mega quickly regrouped and responded with a 10–3 run to grab the lead midway through the opening quarter. However, Cibona answered strongly, regained control, and held off Mega’s attempt to come back, finishing the first quarter with a 27–20 lead. Coach Barać’s team managed to prevent the hosts from building a double-digit advantage, then raised their intensity on both ends of the court. After five consecutive points by Malovec, Mega regained the lead midway through the second quarter. Still, just like in the first period, Cibona responded in time and pulled away again. The Zagreb side maintained the lead, but Malovec’s layup with two seconds left in the half cut Mega’s deficit to a manageable 47–51.

The start of the third quarter saw nearly three minutes go by without a single point. Midway through the period, Cibona pulled ahead by nine (59–50), but Mega raised their level and responded with a strong 15–3 run, taking a 3-point lead with 8:19 left in the game. The finish was tense — Cibona briefly regained the lead with three minutes to go, but that was as far as they would get. Jelavić and Milijašević knocked down two crucial three-pointers, and it was Mihailo Petrović who sealed the deal in the final seconds.

In the upcoming Round 29 of the ABA League, Mega Superbet will host SC Derby (Studentski centar). The game is scheduled for Monday, April 28, at 8:00 PM at Ranko Žeravica Sports Hall.

Mega Superbet: Miljenović 2, Jelavić 18 (8 rb), Vukčević, Marković 16 (11 rb), Kajil, Kroflič, Macura, Milijašević 9, Jović 6 (5 rb), Tanasković, Petrović 28 (13 ass, in 37), Malovec 9

Cibona: Vuković 15, Ročak, Radovčić 12, Aranitović 6, Perasović 9, Skorić 5, Bundović, Smajlagić 21, Majcunić 13, Bart, Pavković, Katanović 2

Foto: Cibona/Ivana Dergez