Adriatic League, Buducnost goes top

Round 6 of the Adriatic League tipped off this weekend and we saw a new club move to the top of the ABA standings. That honor goes to Buducnost VOLI Podgorica, the team taking sole possession of top spot (for now at least) with a victory over Cedevita Zagreb in a clash between two title contenders.

Metelac continued its resurgence with a road success over Krka Novo Mesto, and also on Saturday Cibona overcame Partizan NIS Belgrade at home.

Buducnost VOLI Podgorica vs. Cedevita Zagreb, 76-66
Both of these clubs will be wanting to go far in the Adriatic League this season and both will even have eyes on the main prize. In this contest it was host team Buducnost that came away with victory, ensuring the club goes top of the league on its own, at least for a day. Cedevita started stringer, using a 10-15 run in the first quarter to hold a five point lead at ten minutes. The hosts hit back in the second quarter, winning it 23-12 to claim a 43-37 lead through halftime. A 20-17 winning third act gave Buducnost control at 63-54 through thirty minutes and the home team extended in the fourth to ease to the win.

Bojan Subotic paced the winners with 15 points, while Omar-Sharif Cook provided 14 points and 6 assists.

Nemanja Gordic paced the losing effort with 14 points and 5 scoring passes.

Cibona vs. Partizan Belgrade, 63-57
Cibona Zagreb had too much for traveling Partizan NIS Belgrade in what proved to be a back and forth encounter between the two clubs. The hosts were on the right path after they claimed the first frame 18-15, but yielded the second stanza 11-13 although still led 29-28 at the midway buzzer. Partizan continued to rally in the third act and used a 14-18 streak to lead 43-46 after three quarters of play. In the final period Partizan wilted as Cibona attacked, the home team run away with the game late on to snatch the victory.

Filip Kruslin was the only player scoring double digits for the winners, but his 22 points proved to be vital.

Cedomir Vitkovac took 16 points for Partizan.

Krka Novo Mesto vs. Metalec, 70-75
Metalec’s solid start to the Adriatic League continued as the Serbian team visited Krka Novo Mesto and grabbed a victory. The guests used the first half to build the win, taking the first frame 19-21 and the second act 15-19 to have a 34-40 as the players headed in to the locker room at half time. Krka got a point back in the third stanza with a 19-18 run, but Metalec managed to shut it down in the fourth and a 17-17 closing period saw the visitors win the game.

Djordje Majstorovic topped the winners with 18 points, while Dusan Kutlesic added 14 points.

Luka Lapornik was good for 15 points for Krka Novo Mesto.