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.