By the end of the regular season in the AdmiralBet ABA League, Mornar basketball players will play three games, the first of which will be played tomorrow (18) away against Zadar in the 28th round.
Mornar is in last place, with only two wins, and could remain in the league if it is decided that there will be no relegation at the end of the season, which is very possible. At the Assembly held last week, it was agreed that the league will expand and that next season it will have a maximum of 20 clubs. The statement after the meeting did not mention relegation, and a clearer situation will be after the meeting of the Working Group, which was formed to, among other things, develop a model of the competition system.
"We have an obligation to play all three games with maximum commitment and seriousness, to give our best and to finish the season, which did not go as we expected, in a fair and nice way. When I say that, I want to make it clear right away - all responsibility is on me. I have never shied away from responsibility. We are facing a difficult game against Zadar - most of the players have been playing together for years. They have a recognizable style. You have to play very well, to get them out of their comfort zone. When they impose their rhythm and style, then they play very well. It will not be easy to achieve that. Ours is to give our best, to play as well as possible," said Mornar coach Mihailo Pavicevic in the match announcement.
The Baran strategist spoke about expanding the competition and the possibility of no relegation from the league this season.
"To be honest, I have been informed, as the media reported, that there is such a possibility. We would certainly be happy to be members of the ABA League next season. I hear that it is going in the right direction. Teams know how to go through good and bad periods. We have been through both, this season we are going through the most difficult period, but we are enduring it stoically. We would not be the first or the last club to be relegated, and then, through expansion or other administrative matters, it was enabled not to be relegated from the league. Our next opponent, Zadar, was also going through a similar situation, there were still ABA players. As far as we are concerned - it would be good, and it would be good for basketball in Montenegro, if there was someone else in the AdmiralBet ABA League besides Podgorica. Let's wait, let's see what will happen - we can only guess," said Pavićević.
Zadar still has a chance to qualify for the playoffs.
"Mornar is a team that doesn't give up, doesn't give up all the time, they haven't fallen apart but are still fighting. Jenkins went to Dubrovnik and now they are quite good as a team, they will certainly look for their chance in Zadar. It is important for us to finish the ABA League as best we can," said Zadar coach Danijel Jusup.
This season, the Croatian champion plays to the tunes of the Montenegrin national team player, Vladimir Mihailović.
"It's not a perfect season for Mornar, that can sometimes be dangerous. They certainly come with maximum motivation to play their best. We are in our standard rhythm, I expect us to stick to our principles in the game. I am satisfied with our games so far, generally as a team we have a good season, but the main thing is yet to come," said Mihailović.
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