The first games of the AdmiralBet ABA League playoff quarterfinals can be complicated for the favorites, but the Buducnost Voli basketball players did not give Megi even the slightest chance to hope for a surprise at the start of the series.
The leader of the regular season of the championship celebrated in the "M:tel Morača Hall" 96:80 and next Friday has the first match point for a place in the semifinals.
When the favorite opens the match with a 12:0 advantage and concedes the first points after almost four minutes of play, it is probably clear that the approach at the start was right, exactly as coach Andrej Žakelj wanted - it was like that until the end, so the "blues" had no problem coping with the very talented Mega team, even in the absence of McKinley Wright.
Buducnost routinely maintained a double-digit lead in the first half, and by the middle of the second quarter they were up 18 - that was the same at the break (52:34).
The third period brought potential problems for the home team, Mega then accelerated the pace and with a series of three-pointers and counterattacks reduced the lead to 59:51, but the response was lightning fast as Yogi Ferrell made two shots from outside the 30 line in less than 6,75 seconds to bring the lead back to plus 14 (65:51).
Mega had another reaction. It was also blocked without any problems when Fletcher Maggie (2+1) and Đorđije Jovanović hit a three-pointer after an out pass from Alen Omic.
After being up 14 in the first 30 minutes (76:62), it was clear that Buducnost could hardly allow Mega another surge, so she brought the game to an end with a safe play.
Ferrell was the most efficient player for Buducnost with 20 points, Kenan Kamenjaš had 15, and Nikola Tanasković had 12. Megi and Jovanović also scored in double figures with 10 each.
The three-pointer by young Petar Minić, who scored in the final seconds to make it 96:78 and received a standing ovation from the crowd, will also be remembered.
Before the match, McKinley Wright and Andrej Žakelj received awards - the former was named the most valuable player, and the latter was named the best coach of the regular season.
THE FUTURE LOVES - MEGA 96:80 (29:18, 23:16, 24:28, 20:18)
Podgorica - "M:tel Hall Morača": Spectators: 2.000. Judges: Hordov, Kardum (Croatia), Porobić (BiH).
Buducnost: Morgan 6, Sulajmon 9, Ilic, Megi 10, Minic 3, Slavkovic 8, Tanaskovic 12, Ferel 20, Jovanovic 10, Drežnjak 1, Omic 2, Kamenjas 15.
Mega: Milenković 2, Miljenović 30, Jelavic 8, Vukčević, Kroflič, Macura 5, Milijašević 3, Milutinović, Jović 9, Tanasković, Petrović 17, Malovec 6.
Bonus video:
