Behind the young basketball player of SC Derby, Luka Bogavec, is the best game of his career in the AdmiralBet ABA League. On Sunday, in a defeat against Partizan in Belgrade (95:80), the guard of the "students" scored 24 points (8/16 from the field), had five rebounds, three assists and an index of 23. The Montenegrin national team player achieved a career record in terms of points in the regional competition in the "Belgrade Arena", while in terms of the number of index points he equaled the best performance, which he achieved last season against Mornar in Bar.
Like Bogavac, the entire SC Derby team left a good impression in Belgrade against Partizan, leading in the first half, but the "black and whites" took control at the end of the first half and achieved another triumph.
- I think the game against Partizan, from a team perspective, was one of our better ones this season. We saw the team's progress compared to the first game, which we played against them at home. We played a lot more maturely, with more freedom and more self-confidence. The first half was one of the best this season - Bogavac summed up his impressions for "Vijesti".
Every young player enjoys playing a good game against a Euroleague team.
- I had a good game in terms of points, but that's thanks to the team, which recognized that I was the one. Generally, I approach every game the same way. We can't lie to ourselves that it wasn't an additional motivation to play against Partizan, knowing their atmosphere. The team was built for the Euroleague playoffs and is perhaps the strongest Partizan team in recent years. That was an additional motivation for me. The important thing is that I gave my maximum and I think that looked good - explained Bogavac.
Interestingly, the 21-year-old basketball player played his two best games in the AdmiralBet ABA League this season against Partizan and Red Star, against whom he scored 23 points in Podgorica.
- I follow the Euroleague and those clubs. When you enter a game with them, it creates additional motivation. I like playing big games, I feel comfortable, I feel good. It gives me a special motivation when I know that these are teams that are at the top of Europe. In those games, I just try to enter motivated, relieved and free. I would like it to continue like that - Bogavac is honest.
SC Derbi, after 19 rounds of the regional competition, is in 12th place in the standings with six wins and 13 losses. The performance could have been better.
- Maybe someone expected more. I think we also expected to win some games, which we messed up. There were a lot of matches with one or two balls, which did not go in our favor. If some games had turned in our favor, then we would be talking differently now. But, the most important matches await us now. Lessons will be learned when necessary and I hope that we will correct the mistakes from the previous part in the next games.
The next match is on Sunday (17), in “Morača” against Krka.
- Honestly, we have to win this game. We are playing on our home court and we need to achieve victory. We will give our maximum, they have basketball players who play well. We have to enter the game like men and win - said Bogavac.
After Krka, there are obligations in the Montenegrin Cup, where SC Derbi is defending the trophy. The host of the final is Bijelo Polje, the draw has yet to be held.
- It's still too early to talk about the Cup. We have a very important match against Krka ahead of us. Let's win that match, and then slowly prepare for the Cup after that.
I feel beautiful when I play for the national team.
Luka Bogavac has also become an indispensable part of the Montenegrin national team, which will soon face Germany at home (February 20) and Sweden away (February 23) in the European Championship qualifiers. Montenegro is in an excellent position, only a miracle needs to happen for Boško Radović's team to miss out on EuroBasket.
- I feel great when I play for the national team, it's always a special moment. Only good things connect me to the national team. We are close to passing the group. It is in our interest to win as many matches as possible in the qualifiers, so that we would be in a better position in the draw, and therefore get an easier group at the European Championship. Every win would mean something to us. The first match is against Germany, which we don't need to waste words on. I hope that the audience will recognize that, come to support us and fill the hall - concluded Bogavac.
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