Dubai Basketball Achieves Historic Century Mark in ABA League Showdown, Led by Standout Performances and Strategic Play
Dubai Basketball delivered an outstanding road performance on Saturday night, securing a decisive 102-74 victory over Croatia’s Cibona in Zagreb. This triple-digit win marks a first for the young Dubai franchise, pushing their ABA League record to an impressive 5-1 and placing them in a tie for second place in the standings.
From the opening tip, Head Coach Jurica Golemac’s squad played with unyielding focus and energy. After Ahmet Düverioğlu netted both free throws in the first 13 seconds, Dubai Basketball never looked back, closing out the first quarter with a powerful 35-17 lead. With their offense firing on all cylinders, Dubai quickly became one of only a few teams this season to score over 30 points in a single quarter. Cibona, weakened without starting guards Roko Rogić and Krešo Radovčić, struggled to keep pace with Dubai’s fast-moving attack.
By the end of the third quarter, Dubai Basketball had established a 29-point lead at 81-52. As the final quarter progressed, JaCorey Williams scored a critical two-pointer in the paint, propelling the team past the 100-point mark for the first time in franchise history. Williams’ consistent scoring in the paint throughout the season now ranks him second in the ABA League for “Points in the Paint.”
Former NBA star Davis Bertans led the charge with a game-high 17 points, most of which came from his excellent shooting beyond the arc. With a 62.5% success rate from three-point territory (5 of 8), Bertans’ stellar performance propelled him to second in the ABA League for three-pointers, just behind Split’s Jordano Antonio.
Fan-favorite Thirdy Ravena also made his presence known on both sides of the court, logging his first steal, assist, and rebound of the season over more than 10 minutes of play. His strong defensive pressure was instrumental in limiting Cibona’s offense to just 74 points, reinforcing his value to the team and his popularity among Dubai’s fans.
Reflecting on the win, Coach Golemac praised his players’ dedication and determination: “I congratulate my players for playing really well. We achieved what we came for, played a great game, and now we are going to analyze what we can do better as we move to the next game,” he said. “Our players understand that every move and every possession is important, and they all share the vision of not only winning but being highly competitive in each game. As a coach, it’s a pleasure to be working with them.”
Dubai Basketball’s next challenge will take place in Montenegro on Saturday, November 2, when they face off against Studentski Centar Derby at 10:00 pm UAE time. With momentum on their side, Dubai looks to maintain their competitive edge and continue climbing the ABA League standings.
