Dubai Basketball’s perfect start to the 2024-2025 ABA League season came to a dramatic halt on Saturday night. As they suffered a heartbreaking 80-83 defeat against Serbia’s Mega MIS. The closely contested match unfolded at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, attracting a star-studded audience from the basketball world. Including NBA MVP Nikola Jokic and fellow Denver Nuggets player Vlatko Cancar.
With both teams entering the third round of the season with unbeaten 2-0 records, the tension was palpable as nearly 4,000 enthusiastic fans filled the arena. Mega MIS emerged victorious, maintaining their flawless record in a match that kept spectators on the edge of their seats.
The game’s final moments were nothing short of dramatic. A controversial foul call against Dubai’s Awudu Abass sent Mega MIS’s Kosta Kondic to the free-throw line. Where he calmly sank all three attempts to secure the win for his team.
Dubai Basketball started strong, energized by their home crowd. A highlight of the first quarter was Leon Radosevic’s three-pointer, helping the hosts establish a 24-18 lead. By halftime, despite Mega MIS finding their rhythm, Dubai held a 45-36 advantage.
The second half saw Mega MIS narrow the gap, with the third quarter ending at 63-60 in favor of Dubai. The fourth quarter intensified, with both teams battling fiercely. With the score tied at 77, Kondic hit a crucial three-pointer, giving Mega MIS a late lead. However, Dubai responded quickly, as Danilo Andusic drove through the lane, scored, and completed a three-point play to tie the game at 80-80.
With just seconds remaining, a foul was called on Kondic’s three-point attempt, leading to the pivotal free throws that ultimately decided the match. He finished the game as one of the top scorers with 16 points, tying with Filip Jovic.
Isaiah Taylor led Dubai Basketball with a game-high 14 points and five rebounds, while captain Klemen Prepelic contributed 13 points, seven rebounds, and three assists.
Dubai Basketball head coach Jurica Golemac expressed pride in his team’s effort despite the loss, emphasizing the importance of learning from setbacks. “We couldn’t catch the rhythm and break the game. We were up most of the game. But we never got through, and Mega played extremely energetically and quickly. At crucial moments, we missed a couple of lay-ups and allowed them open shots,” Golemac said.
“The season is a marathon, not a sprint. We need to learn from our mistakes. Defeats make you work harder, and in wins, not everything is perfect, and in defeats, not everything is bad.”
Looking ahead, Dubai Basketball will next face Borac Mozzart in Serbia on Sunday, October 13, before returning to the Coca-Cola Arena for a home game against Spartak Subotica on October 20.
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