Cibona Zagreb bags first Adriatic League title

KK Cibona VIP Zagreb was victorious in the all-Croatian Adriatic League final against KK Cedevita Zagreb, 72-59, to claim the team’s first ever title in the regional tournament. The three-time ABA finalists came close to winning the trophy in 2004, 2009 and 2010. They are only the second Croatian team to win it. KK Zadar accomplished the feat in 2003.

Cedevita was the team to draw first blood at Kombank Arena Belgrade, where the Finals took place. However, their early 4-0 lead was met by a 14-4 rally by Cibona, which managed to wrench the lead from their city rivals and held on to it all the way until halftime, where they had an eight-point lead, 34-26. In the second half Cibona was unwilling to relinquish control of the lead and the game. In fact, by then of the third period they expanded their advantage to 11 points. Despite Cedevita’s push in the fourth quarter, their opponents matched them point for point and then some and so the game ended with Cibona’s players celebrating under a shower of confetti.

Dario Saric, who won the Final Four M.V.P. honors, led Cibona both in scoring and rebounding in this crucial game with 23 points and 11 rebounds. He delivered a well-rounded stat line adding seven assists and five blocks to his name. Saric was also a beast from the outside as he knocked down five triples. Marin Rozic scored 13, while Jerel Blassingame added 12 points and nine assists.

Tomislav Zubcic was Cedevita’s top scorer with 13 points. Goran Suton chipped in 10 points and three steals.