ABA League – Round 4: Buducnost beat Krka to climb on top of ladder

NemanjaVranjes After 4 rounds played we can already see who rules in the Adriatic League and who belongs to weaker ones. The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Montenegrin Buducnost as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Buducnost smashed 8th ranked Slovenia Krka in Podgorica 91-62. The game without a history. Buducnost led from the first minutes and controlled entire game increasing their lead in each quarter. They dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to Krka’s 32. Worth to mention a great performance of guard Nemanja Vranjes (187-88) who helped to win the game recording 17 points and Serbian-Montenegrin forward Boris Savovic (208-87, agency: BeoBasket) who added 12 points and 6 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side center Ziga Dimec (211-93) responded with 12 points and 6 rebounds. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. As mentioned above they are at the top of the standings, which they share with Partizan and Crvena Zvezda. Krka at the other side keeps the eighth place with two games lost. They share the position with Un.Olimpija. Krka will play next round against strong Crvena Zvezda trying to get back on the winning streak. Buducnost will try to continue on its current victory against fifth ranked Igokea in Aleksandrovac. In the last two games of round 4 Igokea won against FMP on the opponent’s court 81-76. Karpos Sokoli lost to Partizan in a home game 77-84. Mega Leks lost to Crvena Zvezda on the road 76-96. Un.Olimpija defeated Mornar Bar on its own court 81-72. Zadar was smashed by Cedevita in Zagreb 62-120. The most impressive stats of the last round was 15 points, 15 rebounds and 5 assists by Miro Bilan of Cedevita.FMP – Igokea 76-81Everything could happen in Beograd at the game between two tied teams. Both sixth ranked Bosnian Igokea and 5th ranked Serbian FMP had identical 2-1 record. But FMP was not able to use a home court advantage and was defeated by the opponent from Aleksandrovac 81-76 on Monday night. Worth to mention a great performance of American point guard James Robinson (190-94, college: Pittsburgh) who helped to win the game recording 27 points and 5 assists and Serbian forward Strahinja Micovic (205-92) who added 17 points during the contest. At the losing side point guard Filip Covic (178-89) responded with a double-double by scoring 13 points, 5 rebounds and 11 assists and Dejan Davidovac (202-95, agency: BeoBasket) scored 12 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Four FMP players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Igokea have a solid three-game winning streak. Defending Bosnian champion (3-1) moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Cibona. Loser FMP dropped to the sixth position with two games lost. Igokea will face league’s leader Buducnost in Podgorica in the next round and it may be the game of the week. FMP will play on the road against Mornar Bar (#11) and hope to win that game. Top scorers:Igokea: J.Robinson 27+4reb+5ast, S.Micovic 17+2reb, B.Fortenberry 12+4reb+2ast, D.Albijanic 7+4reb+1ast, D.Sibalic 6+5reb+1ast, B.Mahkovic 5+2reb+2astFMP: F.Covic 13+5reb+11ast, N.Zizic 13+4reb+2ast, D.Davidovac 12+6reb+4ast, J.Bolden 11+7reb+2ast, D.Apic 7+4reb, D.Kaplanovic 6+3rebgschID: 476157Karpos Sokoli – Partizan 77-84Very predictable result in Skopje where top-ranked Serbian Partizan (4-0) defeated bottom-ranked FYR Macedonia Karpos Sokoli (0-4) 84-77 on Monday. The guests took control from the first minutes by winning the initial quarter 22-20. But Karpos Sokoli won second period 21-20. However it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. The game was decided in the last minutes when Partizan won last quarter 22-16. They dominated down low during the game scoring 50 of its points in the paint compared to Karpos Sokoli’s 28. They outrebounded Karpos Sokoli 38-20 including a 27-16 advantage in defensive rebounds. Worth to mention a great performance of forward Novica Velickovic (205-86, agency: BeoBasket) who helped to win the game recording 13 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists and American point guard Wiliam Hatcher (188-84, college: Miami, OH) who added 21 points during the contest. Partizan’s coach used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. At the losing side American point guard Kendrick Perry (183-92, college: Youngstown St.) responded with 14 points and 6 assists and Serbian power forward Dragan Zekovic (209-87, agency: BeoBasket) scored 15 points and 5 rebounds (on 6-of-7 shooting from …

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