Latest news with #AwuduAbass
Arab News
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
Dubai Basketball face deciding game in ABA League quarterfinals
DUBAI, UAE: Dubai Basketball lost to Cedevita Olimpija (94-89) in Game 2 of the ABA League quarterfinals, resulting in a final deciding game, to take place on Tuesday, May 20 at Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai. Dubai entered Game 2 in Ljubljana with a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series, following a one-point home win. Victory in Slovenia would have secured immediate qualification to the semifinals. However, Dubai Basketball were facing one of the league's most physical contenders at Stozice Arena. Cedevita Olimpija wasted no time asserting their home-court advantage, taking the lead early in the first quarter. But as witnessed last week at Coca-Cola Arena, the game quickly turned into a fierce back-and-forth. Dubai's Danilo Andusic and Italian fan favourite Awudu Abass stepped up under pressure, narrowing the gap with swift offensive responses. Despite Dubai Basketball fighting back and briefly gaining an advantage in the second quarter, the traveling team were unable to cement a long-lasting lead over the Dragons at their home court. A momentary six-point difference in the second quarter offered a glimpse of victory, but Cedevita's offense came back strong, closing the advantage and overtaking the visitors. Aleksej Nikolic of Cedevita delivered a standout performance, finishing as the top scorer of the night with 30 points. Second highest scorer of the night was Dubai Basketball's Andusic with 23 points. The decisive clash on Tuesday is more than just a pivotal game in the ABA League — it represents a historic opportunity for Dubai Basketball to cement its place among the best in the league. As the only team representing the Middle East, Dubai has already made a powerful statement in its debut season, with top-tier performances and a winning mentality that has captured international attention. With every team in the league beaten at least once, a 14-game unbeaten streak, and a record-breaking performance for the most points scored in a single quarter, the team has already made history. Now, they stand on the edge of another milestone, qualification for the semifinals.
Arab News
05-05-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
Dubai Basketball end regular season with dramatic comeback victory
DUBAI: Dubai Basketball cemented their form ahead of the playoffs with a monumental 13th consecutive victory, overcoming ABA League regular season leaders Buducnost VOLI in another decisive final quarter at home to triumph 79-75. The Montenegrin side arrived in Dubai as the league's toughest challenge but the hosts delivered under pressure as they continued their historic streak before turning their sights to the playoffs which begin on Sunday, May 11. Head coach Jurica Golemac said: 'It was like a final. Congratulations to the players and congratulations to the fans. The focus was unbelievable in the second half — we allowed only 27 points. We controlled most of it and truly deserved this win.' The game's most electric moment came in the final quarter. With just minutes on the clock and the outcome still in the balance, Awudu Abass intercepted a crucial play and charged through the Buducnost defence for a sensational fast-break dunk, giving Dubai a five-point advantage in front of a 4,500-strong crowd at Coca-Cola Arena. Dubai Basketball's fourth-quarter performance pushed their fans into a frenzy as the game was held to just a two-point difference. Showing up when it mattered the most, captain Klemen Prepelic sealed the win with his final-point free throw. The win secured a top-four finish for Dubai Basketball, which means their playoff campaign will open at home. The team will face Slovenia's Cedevita Olimpija on Sunday in what will be a historic game for the club. Describing the team's fans as their sixth player, Golemac said: 'We are calling all the fans to come next week — in seven days — for the first game of the playoffs. We are going to need their support more than ever.'
Arab News
03-03-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
Dubai Basketball extend winning streak to four games after victory over Croatia's Cibona
DUBAI: Dubai Basketball began their busy month by registering their fourth straight victory in the ABA League at Coca-Cola Arena following a dominant 90-61 win against Croatia's Cibona — a result that sees them edge closer to securing a play-off berth. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport Following a three-week international break, Dubai Basketball were back in action on Sunday night, the first of five March games including three back-to-back, and they put on an impressive show to overcome Cibona to take their record to 16:5 for the season. Twenty-eight seconds had passed before Awudu Abass opened the scoring with an emphatic dunk and later added to his tally with the game's first three-pointer — a jump-shot just outside the arc. That saw the hosts take a 7-2 lead and while Cibona reduced the deficit to a single point, Dubai Basketball upped the tempo with captain Klemen Prepelic's and Davis Bertans' jump-shots helping the team to close out the opening quarter at 29-19. With the home crowd making themselves heard following an entertaining first quarter, Dubai Basketball continued to find the basket, including Isaiah Taylor — with a three-pointer — Danilo Andusic and Nemanja Dangubic, as the team went into half-time with a 46-33 advantage. Cibona would reduce the deficit to nine points early on in the third quarter, but the home team regained their composure, with Nate Mason among the players to find the basket while Prepelic's clutch buckets sent the crowd into a frenzy. With a 19-point advantage, the hosts added to their tally with French center Jerry Boutsiele and Taylor among the point-scorers to close out the quarter and seal their 16th win of the season. By the time the final buzzer went, Prepelic finished as the game's top-scorer with 14 points while Ahmet Duverioglu led with seven assists — a tally also matched by Mason when it came to assists. For Dubai Basketball, head coach Jurica Golemac was pleased with how his players performed but said that there was still room for improvement. 'It was a long break and it was not a perfect game,' he said. 'We made some mistakes but we had good intensity during the game. Everybody shared the minutes in the end and we deserved to win. The fans were also great. They always give us the energy, which was shown throughout the game.' He added: 'We do need to improve on a lot of things. Every day is a new day and it's important to improve and not stop working.' As with every Dubai Basketball home game, the crowd was treated to a spectacular display of entertainment. The Dunking Devils delivered an awe-inspiring showcase of aerial acrobatics and the Hip Hop Cardio Kids took to the court, showing off their dance moves and getting the entire crowd on their feet. Dubai Basketball will next be in action again at Coca-Cola on Saturday, March 8 when they take on SC Derby before they return again to the arena on Monday, March 17 for the highly anticipated game against ABA League leaders, Partizan Mozzart.
