DUBAI: Dubai Basketball kicked off their ABA League campaign in style with a powerful 92-58 victory over Croatian side Split on Monday evening at Coca-Cola Arena.
In front of their home crowd, Jurica Golemac’s squad showcased their depth, athleticism, and offensive balance.
While Split put up a competitive fight in the opening quarter, Dubai quickly found their rhythm. The Croatian side kept pace early, with former Dubai player Leon Radosevic leading their efforts.
However, the hosts pulled away decisively in the second quarter. Dubai’s rotations brought fresh energy to both ends of the floor, and their defensive intensity tightened.
By halftime, Dubai had established a double-digit lead that they would not relinquish. Filip Petrusev anchored the defense with several key stops, while the offensive end featured contributions from Dwayne Bacon and Klemen Prepelic, which helped give them a 10-point lead at halftime.
The third period turned into a fast-paced exchange, with both sides trading quick shots. Though the play became somewhat fragmented, Dubai’s deeper bench allowed them to maintain control.
Split began to lose momentum as the physical toll of the contest set in. Dubai dominated the fourth quarter 35–15 to secure a convincing 34-point win. Bacon finished the night with a double-double, dropping 17 points while grabbing 10 rebounds.
Golemac said: “Congratulations to our guys for the win. We used this game as a practice, as we had limited time for practice due to our schedule last week.
“We had control of the game throughout the whole 40 minutes; quality was on our side, and we took this game seriously. I wish Split all the best in the rest of the season.”
Dubai player Awudu Abass said: “We did a great job because we had two games last week. We showed our energy, and everyone played well tonight. In these types of games, everybody has to give support.
“Everyone was focused today, and that is amazing.”
Dubai return home for round four of the EuroLeague against Spanish giants FC Barcelona at Coca-Cola Arena on Thursday, Oct. 16. This will mark the Catalan side’s first-ever game in the UAE.
